By Kondwani Kandiado

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) in collaboration with Teachers Union of Malawi ( TUM) have launched a K67.6 million distribution of teaching and learning materials  in Ntchisi to help fight child labour.

The project is being implemented though Action for Elimination of Child Labour in Supply Chains in Africa.

Speaking during the handover ceremony held at Chinthembwe Primary school  in Ntchisi on Tuesday, ILO country Director for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique Wellington Chibebe said they had decided to make the donation to help enhance the quality of education while contributing to child labour elimination.

He said: The donation of scholastic materials resonates very well with our role as we want to ensure that there is social justice through provision of education and securing the future of children.”

Chibebe observed that elimination of child labour within supply chains necessitates coordinated and cooraborative action by all stakeholders at all levels.

“The ILO remains committed to continue corraborating with government workers’ organisations, employers’ organisations  and other partners to ensure realisation of decence work for all Malawi,” he said.

He appealed to the beneficiaries to put the materials to proper use saying this would help in producing good results.

Director of basic Education in the Ministry of Education  Grace Milda said the donation had come at the right time when most schools were experiencing inadequate teaching and learning materials.

“The gesture will help us ensure that we have textbooks and exercise books in schools where we did not have enough of them,” she said.

She then appealed to other stakeholders to emulate the gesture set by ILO to improve the quality of education.

Director of Administration in the Ministry of Labour Paul Kalilombe said the materials will help empower children who have been withdrawn from tobacco estates and other forms of child labour through education.

“The fight against child labour is very complicated and expensive and government alone might not be able to do everything therefore we greatly value the support that ILO has given towards Education,” he said.

He then appealed to the ministry of education to use the  support in the targeted schools to help eliminate child labour and improve quality of education.

ILO is implementing the project with support from the government of Netherlands in partnership with Teachers Union of Malawi ( TUM). The project is donating textbooks and writing materials worth K67.6 million  in Chitipa, Mulanje, Thyolo, Mzimba and Ntchisi.

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