Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
TRADITIONAL leaders in Matabeleland South Province have expressed concern at the large number of girls dropping out of school after falling pregnant.The chiefs said early pregnancy was prevalent among primary school girls who were failing to proceed to secondary school.

They said juveniles had to be educated on the need to value their education.

Chief Wasi from Mangwe District said there was need to educate the girl child on the importance of abstaining from sex.

He said a number of girls were destroying their promising future by indulging in sex which often resulted in unplanned pregnancy.

“Our children have to be educated more on the need to value education, both the boy and the girl child. We’re having a problem of having more pupils who are falling pregnant than those who are excelling in their studies.

“Teenage boys are becoming fathers at the age of 18 years. We’ve a number of children who are fully dependant on their parents who are becoming parents themselves,” he said.

Chief Wasi said a number of parents were leaving their children under the care of untrustworthy relatives as they seek employment in the diaspora.

He said some parents were also failing to prioritise the education of their children.

“Some parents spend the greater part of their lives away in the diaspora without anyone to instil discipline. Children are left in the care of ageing grandparents which isn’t fair.

“Children need to be corrected and guided accordingly and that role is best played by parents. They don’t need to transfer their duty to another person,” he said.

Chief Wasi said poverty within families and communities could be eradicated if children were educated.

Chief Bango said a number of youngsters in the rural communities did not have ideal role models to emulate.

He said there was need for various organisations to disseminate information to children on the importance of education.

Chief Bango said a number of children had not been effectively exposed to sexual and reproductive health issues.

“Our children are exposed to a lot of rowdiness and criminal activities. The people that seem to inspire them are omalayitsha because they think they’re successful since they arrive home in cars with lots of groceries.

“What’s needed is a source of inspiration which will give children the assurance that education leads to success,” said Chief Bango.

He said it was unfortunate that children in the rural communities were not priviledged to see the industrial areas which could serve as a source of inspiration.

Chief Bango said some children did not have the necessary resources to help them excel in their studies.

The traditional leaders’ sentiments come at a time when yet another youth, a 19-year-old teenager from Mangwe was sentenced to 210 hours of community service after he impregnated his 15-year-old girlfriend who was a Form 1 pupil at Hlangabeza Secondary School.

Witness Nkomo of Hobodo area was convicted of having sexual intercourse with a minor last week by Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa.

He was sentenced to a suspended nine months imprisonment.

Three months were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour while the remaining six months were suspended for five years on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service at Bango Clinic.

The juvenile who was staying with her grandparents kept the issue a secret and her guardians only learnt of it when she was eight months pregnant.

Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said in June last year Nkomo proposed love to the juvenile who agreed.

“Later that night Nkomo invited the juvenile to his homestead and they had unprotected sex. Nkomo continued to have sexual intercourse with her until the girl fell pregnant.

“The matter came to light when the juvenile started suffering from stomach pains and was taken to a local clinic where they discovered that she was ready to deliver,” said Mazorodze.

He said the girl gave birth at Brunapeg Hospital.

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