Arusha.
They aired their views recently when speaking at a stakeholders’
forum held in Arusha attended by over 1,000 participants from Tanzania
and neighbouring Kenya.
Speaking at the event, Arusha Regional Educational Officer
(Academic), Kabesi Kabeja, cited the need for government to review the
related law.
“Girls who get pregnant while in schools should be given another chance,” he urged.
“We must relook at the current law that prohibits schoolgirls from resuming classes even after delivering,” he said.
“The law humiliates and denies the girls their right to
education…it is time for the government to work on this law because it
is oppressive,” he asserted.
He emphasized the need for laws to reflect current needs of society, rather than embracing outdated practices.
“We can even look at how our neighbours deal with this matter…for
instance, Kenya’s laws allow impregnated girls to go back to school
after delivering and it has proved to be effective,” he said.
“Tanzania’s laws don’t provide room for such girls to enjoy their
right to education after delivering, instead they are being chased out
of school for good,” he decried.
In attendance was an official from Kenya Primary Schools Head
Teachers Association (KEPSHA), Wintred Mbinyasila who said teachers must
deliberate challenges facing the education sector and exchange views on
how to improve the sector across the region.
“Our law allows a girl who was impregnated while in school to go
back after delivery and it has been effective,” the official said and
pointed out that the law there also assigns hefty punishment on those
who impregnate the schoolgirls.
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