Children in Ntchisi and Salima decry climate inaction, warn of threats to education and health

Children in Ntchisi and Salima districts have raised alarm over the worsening impacts of climate change, accusing authorities of inaction and warning that environmental degradation is increasingly violating their rights to education, health, and protection.

The concerns were voiced during Children and Youth Interface Meetings with District Environment Sub-Committees (DESCs) in both districts, organized by the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through Save the Children Malawi.

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Children Bear the Brunt of Climate Disasters

In Ntchisi, Mathews Mpinganjira, a children’s Member of Parliament from Mthilamsembe Primary School, said floods, droughts, and storms have severely affected children’s access to education.

“Many children miss school because bridges and classroom blocks damaged by heavy rains are never repaired. When it rains or when it’s too hot, our classes are disrupted. Some children drop out altogether. It seems like the authorities are not helping us,” said Mpinganjira.

He added that deforestation and poor land use are worsening soil erosion and hunger in many communities.

“When people cut down trees, rainfall patterns are affected. Our parents harvest little, meaning we have less food. Hunger affects our education because some students cannot learn on empty stomachs,” he explained.

Royce Mwale, Leader of Opposition in the Ntchisi Children’s Parliament, said climate change is also fuelling early pregnancies and child marriages.

“Government should treat these as urgent matters. Meetings like these help us share our challenges, but we hope to see real action,” she said.

Plastic Pollution and Health Risks

Mpinganjira also raised concern over the continued use of thin plastics despite their ban, saying the pollution exposes children, especially those with albinism, to health risks.

“We learn in school that plastics are harmful, yet they are everywhere. When heated, they release gases like methane that damage the ozone layer and allow dangerous sunrays to reach us,” he said.

Authorities Pledge to Act

Yamiko Midiani, the Assistant Forestry Officer for Ntchisi, said the council is promoting long-term environmental resilience through community-led initiatives.

“We are encouraging communities to create and manage Village Forest Areas, plant fruit trees, and develop forest management plans,” Midiani said.
“We are also supporting climate-smart agriculture through irrigation schemes and fertilizer loans under NEEF to improve harvests and reduce food insecurity.”

He added that the district is reinforcing the ban on thin plastics and promoting recycling.

“We are urging people to use baskets when shopping and reuse polythene tubes for tree nurseries,” he said.

Mphatso Mkomenji from the Department of Land Resources at Ntchisi District Council admitted that many of the issues raised by children reflect the daily realities of the wider community.

“The challenges highlighted during the meeting are shared across the district. We need to work collectively to address them,” he said.

Salima Youth Echo the Same Concerns

Similar sentiments were echoed in Salima, where young people said climate change is driving school dropouts, hunger, and health problems.

“Disasters have damaged school infrastructure, disrupted learning, and forced many children out of school. Parents also struggle to support us because their livelihoods have been destroyed by floods,” said Dayisoni Zuze from the Learners Council of T/A Pemba.

Alex Makata from the Social Welfare Department at Salima District Council said Malawi cannot achieve Vision 2063 without prioritizing children’s needs and participation.

“Children are not just future leaders, they are today’s change-makers,” Makata said. “Their voices must be reflected in district development plans and climate strategies.”

CISONECC Calls for Rights-Based Climate Action

Julius Ng’oma, National Coordinator for CISONECC, said the meetings aim to ensure that children’s voices are heard and acted upon in climate governance.

“Children are already suffering from the effects of climate change, yet they have contributed the least to it. When their rights to education, food, and health are affected, it becomes a human rights issue,” said Ng’oma.

He added that CISONECC is encouraged that children are now confidently raising climate issues and challenging authorities to take responsibility for implementation.

“As CISONECC, we are very happy that children are not only speaking out but are also holding authorities accountable. This is a strong sign that awareness efforts are working, now, it’s time for duty bearers to turn commitments into concrete action,” he added.

He said the initiative aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, General Comment No. 26 (UNCRC GC26), which recognizes that environmental degradation directly threatens children’s rights.

“This is not just about planting trees. It’s about concrete actions to protect the lives and futures of Malawi’s children,” he emphasized.

He also stressed the importance of stronger collaboration between local government, civil society, and young people to ensure that climate resilience and children’s welfare remain at the centre of district development plans.

A Call to Action

The children and civil society leaders are calling on authorities to urgently rehabilitate damaged school and transport infrastructure, enforce environmental laws, including the ban on thin plastics, and invest in child-centred climate adaptation and resilience programmes.

They say such measures are critical to protect children’s rights and ensure their continued access to education, health, and safety.