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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief

GOVERNMENT has said pregnant pupils must be allowed to attend lessons and schools have since been urged to come up with mechanisms to ensure the smooth implementation of the policy.

In 2020 the Education Act was amended to prohibit schools from banning pregnant pupils from attending school

In an interview, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister Cde Edgar Moyo said in order for the policy to be successful, schools have to come up with structures and systems to support the pregnant learners.

“Proper implementation of a policy is crucial as it can determine either its success or failure. We need schools to come up with adaptive strategies depending on the circumstances and environment. First of all, the pregnant pupil and the parents need to undergo counselling.

The parents have to understand that the child has to continue with her education even after giving birth,” he said.

“The other learners at the school also need to be engaged so that they understand the situation of the other learner in order to prevent discrimination. The pupil on her part also has to understand that she is a child and pregnancy is a phase that shouldn’t stop her from going back to school. While the child might have to take a break she has to go back to school at some point.”

He said some schools in the rural areas had low-cost boarding facilities which could help house pregnant learners.

Cde Moyo said some pupils have to walk long distances to reach school and it becomes even more difficult when they are pregnant.

He said learners who were attending school did not only have to go back to school but should also perform well hence the need for a conducive environment.

Cde Moyo said school authorities also have an advocacy role to educate communities on the policy and its implementation. He also urged parents to take advantage of the policy.

“The major support for a pregnant learner must come from the school system. The school should facilitate a space which is convenient for the learner. Parents also have a huge role to play in the successful implementation of this policy.

It’s unfortunate that because of traditional beliefs once a child is pregnant she is expected to leave school and some are married off,” he said.

“Parents shouldn’t stand in the way of their children getting an education as it’s their basic right.”
Gwanda Ward 14 Councillor, Phineas Maphosa said some children were not going back to school after falling pregnant because of discrimination.

He said in some cases the discrimination came from teachers. Clr Maphosa said some children see it best to leave school because of the discrimination and name calling. He said some parents were against their children learning with a pupil who is pregnant.

Clr Maphosa said the new policy is meant to assist the girl child and it was important for communities to appreciate what it intends to achieve.

“People have to know about this policy hence there is a need to conduct awareness campaigns.
This way people will stop seeing pregnant children as potential wives but as disadvantaged learners that need to go back to school,” he said.

According to a report from the National Aids Council, Gwanda District recorded 506 teenage pregnancies from January to August this year while 806 cases were recorded over the same period last year. — @DubeMatutu