Pregnant pupils miss exams

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 09:13:45 +0000

By JACKSON MAPAPAYI

Out of 29 female pupils that entered for the 2017 grade seven examinations at Chibeba Primary Kchool in Manyinga, only 18 managed to sit for the examinations due to increased teenage pregnancies.

School head teacher Reagan Salipupa disclosed that four grade six and two grade seven pupils were reportedly pregnant this year.

He said most female pupils have continued to drop out of school due to increased teenage pregnancies at the school describing the situation as unfortunate.

‘’Yes, last year out of the 29 female pupils that entered for the grade seven examinations only 18 managed to write the examinations because the rest had fallen pregnant,’’ Mr Salipupa said. He cited cultural beliefs as one of the major contributing factors to early pregnancies and drop out among school going children.

‘’Other than that we are also telling members of the community and those pupils that have dropped out on the importance of education and also the need to educate the girlchild,’’ he said.

Manyinga district commissioner Queen Manela called on education authorities in the area to find means and ways of addressing the matter.