PH
Kwale – A primary schoolgirl last week gave birth to a baby at Msambweni hospital in Kwale while three class six and seven pupils are expectant at Mwamivi primary school in Matuga constituency.
The school head teacher, Subira Kingi said cases of early pregnancies are high in the area and asked education stakeholders to intervene.
Speaking to the media in Kwale, Kingi lamented that the school has recorded high rates of early pregnancies in the last six years.
“As of now, we have class six and seven pupils who are expectant. The fourth girl gave birth on Tuesday last week at Msambweni hospital,” she added.
The school head said that the issue has affected performance in the school as no candidate has qualified to join secondary school in the last six years.
“They get marks that cannot allow them to join any secondary school and therefore it has become a menace to the school and the society now,” she lamented.
Kingi blamed the ministry of education and human rights defenders for giving the issue a blind eye.
“We informed officials in all departments when the problem started some years back but unfortunately no action has been taken,” she said.
Kingi also accused parents of facilitating the menace instead of playing their roles to end it and ensure children get their right to education.
“There is a case of a class seven boy having married already and parents are not saying anything about it. Parents are also to blame for failing to work with teachers to protect their children,” she added.
She called on education stakeholders in the national and County government to come out and fight early pregnancies in the school.
Nominated MCA, Fatuma Chizomo condemned the issue saying it is against children rights and especially girls who have equal rights to education like boys.
“We are going to take action. It is unfortunate that our girls are being impregnated at a very tender age instead of being left to study. As leaders, we will stand up and try our best to end the menace in the school,” she said.
