40k teachers trained to combat early marriage, teen pregnancies. . . 3 368 drop out due to pregnancy

Source: 40k teachers trained to combat early marriage, teen pregnancies. . . 3 368 drop out due to pregnancy – herald

Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, Sunday News Reporter

OVER 40 000 teachers have been trained countrywide to help combat the rising issue of early marriage and teenage pregnancies in schools amid revelations that 3 368 learners dropped out of school due to pregnancy in 2024 out of 33 764 who exited for other reasons.

The teachers, including specialists, embarked on an extensive training programme, with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education reporting that they have also developed a life skills handbook to empower young people with skills to prevent them from early marriages.

Responding to oral questions with notice in the National Assembly, last Wednesday, Primary and Secondary Education Deputy Minister, Angeline Gata said the Ministry was putting in place various measures to address this worrying trend.

“Our teachers have gone for training, around 40 000 teachers, including specialist teachers, to address the issue of early marriage and teen pregnancies in schools. We have also engaged in integrated community service fairs through the outreach programme that we have done. We are also into training Child Protection Committees in our schools.

“This is when you see the awareness has been raised, even the reporting has now increased. They are now reporting. They are also assisting with the stigma to cope at the school and community levels. We are also doing group sessions with the pupils in our schools on how to support girls who have dropped out of school,” said Deputy Minister Gata.

She further revealed that they have also distributed Bluetooth speakers in schools to play recorded radio lessons on guidance and counselling.

“We also have radio sessions on 11 radio stations to discuss issues related to teen pregnancies and early marriages. We also have our Secretary’s Circular, Number 18 of 28 that encourages continuation with education. Like I said, we have peer educators to address issues in our schools.

“We have also established a toll-free number 317 for reporting any cases of stigma to teen mothers. We have also created a chat board which will help children discuss issues of violence, teenage pregnancies, early marriages and other issues affecting them,” said the Deputy Minister.

She further revealed that the ministry has also made efforts in readmitting girls who have been impregnated or were married early.

Before, pregnant learners would be expelled from classes and fail to complete their studies, while the males who were sometimes responsible for the pregnancies were allowed to continue with schooling.

In terms of the statistics at hand, Deputy Minister Gata revealed that Mashonaland East province had the highest number of dropouts due to pregnancy.

“I will start with Bulawayo Province, where we have 45 in secondary schools and two in primary schools. In Harare Province, we have 157 in secondary and three in primary while Manicaland Province has 454 in secondary schools and 15 in primary schools. In Mashonaland Central we have 454 in secondary schools and 16 at primary level while in Mashonaland East we have 499 in secondary and 10 in primary school.

Mashonaland West has 459 in secondary schools and 18 in primary schools. In Masvingo, we have 390 in secondary school.

“In Matabeleland North, we have 297 in secondary school and six in primary school. In Matabeleland South, we have 245 in secondary school and two in primary school, while Midlands Province has 302 in secondary school. So, the total number of girls who dropped out of primary school due to pregnancy is 109. The total number of girls who dropped out in secondary schools due to pregnancy is 3 324,” said the Deputy Minister.

In 2023, the country recorded over 4 000 school dropouts due to pregnancy, with rural areas bearing the brunt of the crisis.

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