Tanzania Bans Pregnant Girls From School

Photo Courtesy

A report in 2013 by Kenya Population Situation Analysis showed Kenya to be among the countries with a large number of adolescent pregnancies globally.

The same report revealed that in the world, 7.3 million of the live births are by girls between the age of 15 and 19 years of which two million births of this are by girls under the age of 15.

In this percentage, Kenya had 103 in every 1000 pregnancies being attributed to girls between 15 and 19 years.

The statistics indicated that 26 in every 100 girls in Kenya are married before they reach 18 years. Early marriages being prevalent in North Eastern Province, Coast Province and Nyanza province.

Tanzania faces almost the same situation, if not worse.

Approximately 20% of women in Tanzania aged 15-19 years are mothers and another 5% are pregnant for the first time.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that in Tanzania the median age at first intercourse for women is just under 17. About 15% of women aged 15-19 have had sexual intercourse for the first time by the age of 15. By the age of 15, 18,65% of women are already sexually active and by 20, about 86% are sexually active

H.E Dr. John Magufuli

The situation might have Prompted Tanzanian President H.E John Magufuli to give a directive to expel girls who get pregnant while in school.  Speaking at a public rally in Chalinze town Mr. Magufuli said:

“In my administration, as long as I am president ... no pregnant student will be allowed to return to school. We cannot allow this immoral behavior to permeate our primary and secondary schools ... never… After calculating some few mathematics, she'd be asking the teacher in the classroom: 'Let me go out and breastfeed my crying baby’…”

He went further and ordered the police to arrest and prosecute men who get students pregnant, saying convicted offenders could get up to 30 years in jail under the country's sexual offences legislation

British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) reported that Tanzania's ban on pregnant girls attending state primary and secondary schools dates back to 1961, when the country secured its independence from Britain, though it does not extend to private schools. It added that 55,000 Tanzanian schoolgirls have been expelled from school over the last decade for being pregnant,according to the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) report in 2013.Some wealthier families are able to send their daughters to private schools but the majority end up looking for casual work.

Twitter Polls

We conducted a twitter poll yesterday on our account (@NewBeginsCPC) concerning this matter. The questions registered a total of 179 respondents.

The first question read: Do you agree with TZ President H.E Magufuli that girls who get pregnant should be expelled from school? (YES/NO)

Response: 24% replied in affirmative while 76% were against this directive.

Ms Kangethe, one of the respondents said, "Absolutely NOT. That directive is unfair,  unlawful and discriminatory. A violation of their human right. In Kenya, Grannies go to school."

Our second question was: Some speculate that Magufuli sentiments may increase the rate of abortions,do you agree? (YES/NO)

Response: 70% felt this move will certainly lead to more abortions while the remaining 30% disagreed.

Our Solution:

We strive to resolve crisis pregnancies in Kenya one-girl-at-a-time, at the same time having preventive programs (abstinence campaigns.) It is likely that many girls might opt for an abortion in Tanzania or Kenya to be able to continue their education, avoid stigmatization in society among many other negative effects. Nevertheless, abortion is not the solution. We encourage them to keep the baby and seek help

We are confident that we can effectively address crisis pregnancies in our immediate environment with unique, biblical sound, holistic approaches currently unavailable throughout the Rift Valley region and other parts of Kenya.   Our staff and partners work diligently to create long-lasting change not only in the women and unborn children we work with but also within their families and societies at large.

Do you know anyone caught up in a crisis pregnancy, or are you willing to support our ministry?

Contact us:

Email:                                                   aco.newbeginnings@gmail.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram:   @NewBeginsCPC

Like our page on Facebook:                New Beginnings, Crisis Pregnancy Center

Website:                                              africanchristianoutreach.com/new-beginnings/

Call us:                                                 0780 733 288