Youth advocates under iNkosi Zulu in Mchinji District have pointed early marriages and teenage pregnancies as major contributing factors to high school dropouts in Chimbadzo village in the area.

Chairperson for iNkosi Zulu Shifters, Shaibu Ajida told Zodiak Online that in the last academic calendar, out of 60 children from Chimbadzo village enrolled at Zulu Primary school, 26 dropped out of school due to culture and aforementioned factors.

"It is sad that many school going children are dropping out of school due to cultural factors that, if stakeholders teamed up, they easily be addressed," said Ajidu.

Ajida added that teenage pregnancy and child marriages are deterrent to development.

Ajida said this during the launch of the Back to School with Power campaign where Shifters from TA's Zulu, Mlonyeni and Mavwere in the district will disseminate SRHR/HIV messages besides ending teenage pregnancies rampant in their respective areas. 

The campaign is part of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) funded Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) - HIV Knows No Borders Project being implemented in the district. 

iNkosi Zulu of the area said the high teenage pregnancy prevalence in his jurisdiction needs concerted efforts to reverse the vice.

"We have set up commumity by-laws which are targeting parents, guardians, and communities who are violating the rights of children," said iNkosi Zulu.

Zulu has since directed that all children who dropped out of school due to pregnancies must return to school and parents must offer the needed support for their education. 

Mchinji Police Station Officer In-charge Micklina Medi said the law will catch up with all perpetrators of child abuses.

"Laws are clear on child marriages. Police will continue to sensitize the public about the vice to ensure that anyone found contravening the same is prosecuted and brought before the court of law," said Medi.

Meanwhile, Mchinji District Council Principal Education Officer Samson Kawiya has committed to support interventions that promote child education in the district.