His Worship Damson Banda, an experienced Balaka Magistrate, gave a lecture on Judicial Systems to a form one class of Andiamo Secondary School at the invitation of the school’s Department of Human Sciences. The lecture, which lasted nearly 2 hours, was invoked by a Social Studies topic on Judicial Systems in the Junior Certificate syllabus.
Damson Banda, First Grade Magistrate of Balaka (sitting on a chair) posing with Form 1 students after presenting a paper on "The Judicial System in Malawi"
Much of the talk focused on the types of laws implemented by courts in Malawi, the roles of various judicial officers, and the hierarchy of courts in Malawi and the function of each of them.
Speaking at the end of the lesson, the Head of Department of Human Sciences, Mr. J. Banda, expressed gratitude to His Worship Banda for a well prepared presentation, which he believed, would leave an academic imprint on the pupils. He further urged magistrate Banda to do the same with other form one classes in offing.
One of the pupils, a 12 year old Immaculate Chingota, did not hide her joy for being taught by a “visiting lecturer.” She implored the school to invite more professionals to provide such lectures.
Last year, a form two class had an education visit to Balaka Magistrate Court where they had an opportunity to listen to three cases (one criminal and two civil) heard by Magistrate V. Sibu. This was followed by a brief introduction of the judicial processes in Malawi.
His Worship Banda’s visit complements the school’s regular invitation of highly experienced professionals in different fields to talk to the pupils to shape their careers.