SCHOOL GIRL PREGNANCIES: NATIONAL SITUATION, CAUSES AND IMPACTS. Education and Training Policy (ETP, 1995) acknowledges, promotes and advocates deliberate moves, which aim at assuring that girls are not denied the right of access to quality education. This is not the case in girls’ situation as their retention is affected by pregnancies and other dropout reasons.

TREND OF SCHOOL GIRL DROPOUT DUE TO PREGNANCIES IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS Primary schools situation Despite the fact that the enrolment ratio at primary education level is almost 1:1, completion rate for girls is lower than that of boys. Most of the girls dropout from school because of either becoming pregnant or getting married. During the period of 2004 – 2008 an average of 3398 primary school girls fell pregnant yearly. In the year 2009, dropout due to pregnancy was 1768 girls.

TREND OF SCHOOL GIRL DROPOUT DUE TO PREGNANCIES …….. Primary schools situation The trend shows fluctuations in number of pregnancy cases and a decrease in %age yearly from 2004 to 2009 as shown below; YEAR PREGN ANCIES %AGE

Primary school pregnancies by class (2007 & 2009) ClassIIIIIIIVVVI Total

TREND OF SCHOOL GIRL DROPOUT DUE TO PREGNANCIES ………. SECONDARY SCHOOLS SITUATION YEAR NO.OF PREGN ANCIES %AGE

TREND OF SCHOOL GIRL DROPOUT DUE TO PREGNANCIES ………. SECONDARY SCHOOLS SITUATION The trend in secondary school shows an increase in pregnancies esp. for the years 2007 (21.9%) and 2009 (20.4). For every 5 girls 1 dropped out of school due to pregnancy! This situation is alarming and needs rectification.

Most common causes of pregnancies and dropouts Poverty: parents’ low income Lack of sufficient education on Sexual and Reproductive Health Poor cultural practices such as early initiation ceremonies conducted to young girls at a tender age of 7 – 8 years e.g. in Southern regions of Lindi and Mtwara. Socio-cultural beliefs and gender stereotyping where girls are discriminated and forced to wedlock at tender age.

Most common causes of pregnancies and dropouts…… Peer pressure Lack of hostels in day secondary schools. Location of schools in relation to pupils’ homes/residences. Lack of reliable transport for pupils esp. in towns and cities. Pupils are harassed by commuter buses’ staff. Misuse of globalisation e.g. internet, TV/VIDEO shows.

Most common causes of pregnancies and dropouts…… HIV/AIDS pandemic in which men consider school girls as a safer group for sexual activity.

Regions with more prevalence of school girls pregnancies (2007 data) Mtwara (435) Mwanza (306) Tanga (290) Pwani (280) Rukwa (265 )

Regions with more prevalence of school girls pregnancies (2007 data) Ruvuma ( 204 ) Lindi ( 144 ) Shinyanga ( 137 ) Dodoma ( 111 ) Mbeya ( 105 )

What MoEVT is doing to reverse the trend Introduction of community secondary schools in each ward so as to have pupils study at schools near their homes; Life skills both in the curriculum and extra- curricula activities TUSEME (LET’S SPEAK OUT)PROJECT; Advocacy on gender friendly school environment. Introduction of gender responsive pedagogy in schools and Teachers’ colleges.

Contribution from the community and other stake holders Assist in construction of boarding schools, and hostels in day schools. Purchase School buses to ferry pupils to and from schools. Re-introduce Public transport e.g. UDA, which does not harass pupils. Improve schools’ infrastructure to favour girls by construction of special/cloak rooms for girls and adequate separate toilets for girls and boys. Treat a girl child as one’s daughter rather than one’s partner!

IMPACTS Pregnant school girls are expelled from school. By so doing they are denied their right for education and this is a set back to the nation. The nation is affected economically, socially and politically. Impregnated school girls are denied the following:  Opportunities for employment in public and private sectors;  Ability to become strong entrepreneurs  Ability to support their families by providing them with the basic needs;  Acquisition of life skills to become responsible for their lives;  Involvement in politics so as to become competent leaders;  Ability to identify some traditional norms and values that contradict human rights;  Ability to become change agents;  Ability to observe personal hygiene and to improve health status of their families.

Achievement of goals of MKUKUTA, EFA, CEDAW and MDGs is hindered by expulsion of impregnated school girls as these are expected to get their right foe education and take part in the nation development activities.

Readmission proposal MoEVT under the coordination of Gender Unit is in a process of proposing to the government to permit impregnated school girls to be readmitted back to school after delivery.

CHALLENGES Poor practices of some tribes hinder govt’s efforts of providing education to all children. E.g. Some parents force their daughters to perform poorly in Primary Leaving Examination so that they can subject them to forced marriages. (A case in Shinyanga rural district) Financial constraints; the Ministry can not achieve its intended goals towards gender/ girls education without support from NGOs, CBOs and other developmental partners.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST LET’S STAND UP FOR GIRLS’ RIGHTS OF GETTING EQUAL CHANCES OF EDUCATION AS BOYS.