Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Drew Mcgee
Omary Kipanga: Over 22,000 Girls Return to School Following Pregnancy
Deputy Minister for Education Omary Kipanga
A total of 22,844 girls who had left school due to pregnancies have now resumed their education, following directives from President Samia Suluhu Hassan issued in 2021.
According to Deputy Minister for Education Omary Kipanga, 5,142 of these girls are now enrolled in formal primary and secondary education, while the remaining 17,702 are participating in informal education programs.
Mr. Kipanga was addressing a question raised by Special Seats MP Ms. Fatma Tawfiq (CCM), who inquired about the number of girls who have returned to school since the government issued Government Notice No 2 of 2021. This notice allows girls who left school due to pregnancy to return after giving birth.
"By considering the importance of education to school girls, the government continues supervising the implementation of the said notice by ensuring that girls who dropped out of school due to pregnancies resume school so that they can realize their dreams," he said.
The 2021 notice mandated that all students who leave school for various reasons should have the chance to return, including girls who left due to pregnancies in both primary and secondary schools. The notice specifies that these girls are allowed to re-enter the formal education system after delivery.
As of March 2024, 5,142 girls had re-enrolled in formal education. Under the notice issued by the Commissioner for Education, girls who left school due to pregnancy are given two years from the time of leaving to re-enroll. School heads are also instructed to foster a supportive environment, providing psychological and counseling assistance to help these students adapt back to school.
"In order to ensure all children are continuing to get education as their basic right, through this notice, the government gives an opportunity for students dropping out of school for various reasons to return to the formal education system. This opportunity is inclusive of girls who have dropped out of school due to pregnancies, who will now be allowed to return to the formal education to complete their education cycle," the notice states.
The deputy minister further noted that the government has ensured a supportive setting in schools, including special rooms where young mothers can feed their babies while attending classes.
