In a matter of months, Witch School in Hoopeston hopes to graduate from the world of magic to the ranks of reality TV.

The SCI FI Channel this month revealed its plans to create a reality series about the school at the Television Critics Associa-tion’s winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif.

The news comes just six months after the Hoopeston establishment announced it would offer on-site courses at its home at 112 W. Main St.

The lid remains tight on program details.

Witch School chancellor, the Rev. Don Lewis, confirmed the program “is happening,” but couldn’t comment further at the re-quest of NBC executives.

Despite the tight-lipped situation, he couldn’t hide his excitement for the school.

“There are lots of interesting things forthcoming in the future,” Lewis said.

The SCI FI Channel calls the program a “docu-soap” about a school for aspiring conjurers. It is being assembled in cooperation with New York-based Stick Figure Productions, which handled the HBO documentary series “Family Bonds” and the UPN reality series “Amish in the City.”

Adrienne D’amato, spokeswoman for NBC Universal and the SCI FI Channel, said via e-mail the show is in active develop-ment but not in production. More information regarding the program is expected when production commences in the coming months.

A press release from NBC Universal, which owns the SCI FI Channel, said the show depicts the real-life witch school “resem-bling your typical classroom experience … some elements of this education are less traditional.”

Witch School came to Hoopeston in September 2003, after using its Internet site for about 2½ years as an online school dedi-cated to Wiccan, Pagan and magical thought.

The school faced division from Hoopeston residents, with some being less than accepting of the new institution.

Those who want to learn more can visit the school, see the merchandise and library and take classes. The school, which con-tinues its Internet courses, offers lectures twice a day, if enough people show up.

Source: Commercial-News

Campaigners are calling for a change in the law to make it a criminal offence to demonise a child, it is reported.

The move comes after police told the BBC that they were unable to charge an African pastor who accused children of witchcraft in this country.

Pastor Dieudonne Tukala was arrested on suspicion of inciting child cruelty last January following a joint investigation by the Today programme and Newsnight.

A BBC investigation broadcast last year connected Pastor Dieudonne Tukala to a case where a father branded his son with an iron because he believed the child was a witch.

It also spoke to other parents who said Tukala told them to send their children back to Africa where he could pray for them to die.

In an interview broadcast on Today and Newsnight on Thursday night, the Pastor denies having accused children of witchcraft or of having seen the boy who was branded with a steam iron.

So-called “child witches” have been murdered in some African countries.

The Metropolitan Police launched an inquiry, but after 10 months of investigation no charges have been brought. It is not against the law to accuse a child of witchcraft or to pray for a child to die.

Debbie Ariyo, director of the charity AFRUCA told Today: “You’re telling a child that you’ve been responsible for killing people, destroying people’s lives - that does actually constitute emotional abuse.”

Asked if religious leaders who accuse a child of witchcraft should face jail, Ms Ariyo said: “I think they should.”

Source: Guardian Unlimited