Home Provincial News Education Mashonaland Ranks High Teenage Pregnancies, School Dropouts
Education - Provincial News - September 5, 2024

Mashonaland Ranks High Teenage Pregnancies, School Dropouts

Mashonaland Central province is grappling with a concerning surge in school dropouts, particularly among girls, according to the latest Education Management Information System (EMIS) report. This revelation comes amidst national concern over rising dropout rates, prompting questions in Parliament and calls for urgent intervention.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo, highlighted the stark reality during a recent parliamentary session: “For the year ending December 2023, 4557 girls dropped out of school due to pregnancy, the majority of these (3 942) being from rural schools.”

Disturbingly, Mashonaland Central ranks second only to Mashonaland West in the number of girls dropping out due to pregnancy, with a recorded 559 cases in secondary schools alone. This alarming statistic has sparked public outcry and calls for action to address the underlying causes.

The issue of early pregnancies and child marriages is particularly prevalent in Mashonaland Central, as underscored by available public records. The confluence of these factors has created a complex and challenging situation for young girls in the province.

While the Ministry of Education has instituted measures such as guidance and counselling and legal provisions allowing pregnant girls to continue their education, the problem persists.

Honourable Murombedzi, a concerned Member of Parliament, questioned the effectiveness of these measures and called for additional support, such as free vocational training, especially in rural areas, to empower girls who have dropped out.

Minister Moyo acknowledged the concerns and emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to providing technical and vocational skills to all learners, including those who have dropped out. He also highlighted the role of partners like CAMFED in providing scholarships and support to vulnerable girls.

However, the issue of stigma and the need for psycho-social support for pregnant girls and young mothers remains a critical concern. Honourable Shirichena, another MP, raised this point, urging the Ministry to address the challenges these girls face in reintegrating into the school system.

Minister Moyo assured the House that the Ministry is actively working to combat stigma and provide support through its learner welfare department and partnerships with organizations like CAMFED.

The high dropout rates in Mashonaland Central, particularly among girls, paint a worrisome picture. While the government and its partners are taking steps to address this issue, the situation underscores the urgent need for a multi-faceted approach that tackles the root causes of early pregnancies, child marriages, and the barriers to education for girls in the province.

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