25 pregnant girls drop out of school

AT least 25 pupils from two secondary schools in Bulilima District have dropped out of school this year after falling pregnant. School authorities from the two institutions have raised concern over the high incidences of child pregnancy that were being recorded in the district.

So far this year alone, 15 Bambadzi secondary school pupils and 10 Gwambe secondary school pupils have dropped out after falling pregnant.

A senior official from Gwambe Secondary who preferred anonymity for professional reasons said most of the incidences were being recorded among Form 2 pupils.

He said some of the pupils had dropped out of school just before sitting for their Ordinary Level examinations. "There have been alarming cases of child pregnancy among pupils in our school this year. Most of the culprits are Form 2 pupils which is really a cause for concern," he said.

"Two pupils did not register for their final examinations at all after falling pregnant just before registration time. A Form 2 pupil from our school had an abortion this term while the other pupils fell pregnant throughout the course of the year.''

The official said most pupils pulled out of school soon after falling pregnant.

He said some of the pupil's were living under harsh conditions which exposed them to risks such as early sex. The official said it had emerged that some children fell pregnant under the watch of their parents who went on to help them to seek abortion services that are illegal in the country.

"Some of the children who were affected are staying alone and their parents work in the diaspora. Other children walk long distances to school which puts them at risk. "Most children, after falling pregnant, withdraw from school out of shame and they don't return. Recently, we recorded a case of a Form 2 pupil who had an abortion with the assistance of her mother,'' said the official.

He said some pupils were sexually active with the knowledge of their parents.

A Bambadzi Secondary School senior teacher, who also preferred anonymity, said 15 pregnancy cases had been recorded at the school since January.

She said the cases were rife among Form 2 and 3 pupils.

The senior teacher said some of the pupils that were dropping out were "among the top performers academically".

She said efforts were being made to disseminate information to pupils through guidance and counselling sessions but their efforts were fruitless.

A village head in Gwambe area, Percy Hanyane, said the rise in pregnancies at the school in his area were a cause for concern.

He said before the school was built in 2011, there was a high incidence of pregnancies as pupils were walking long distances.

"We thought that with the introduction of the new school, we would address this problem of drop outs but it is still persisting. Our area already had pupils dropping out as a result of financial constraints and this additional cause is a huge blow," said Hanyane.

"This situation has to be addressed somehow and the parents need to be engaged. The future of these children is being destroyed by these pregnancy cases.''

Matabeleland South Provincial Education Director, Tumisang Thabela, said she would look into the matter as she had not received a report on the statistics.

Children in some areas in the district walk long distances to reach schools. Some are allegedly offering sex to people with homes near their school in exchange for free accommodation to avoid travelling long distances.