46 Milenge School Girls Return to School After Maternity Leave


 By Linda Mupemo


Picture for illustration purposes


Milenge District in Luapula Province has made headways in the implementation of the re-entry policy as 46 girls who fell pregnant in 2021 have returned to school this year. 

 

Milenge District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Elie Shumba disclosed that 47 girls fell pregnant last year in the 60 schools across the district. 

 

 

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Mr. Shumba said from all the pregnancy related drop-outs which were recorded in the last academic year, only one girl is yet to return to school. 

 

"This is an improvement in comparison to the previous years. For instance, 83 girls dropped out of school in 2020 due to pregnancies and only 16 returned to school in 2021," he said. 

 

Mr. Shumba attributed the high number of re-entries to heightened sensitisation by stakeholders coupled with the introduction of the free education policy. 

 

 

He said Civil Society Organisations such as Natwampane, Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) and the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Zambia (FAWEZA) have played a vital role in retrieving young girls from early marriages and encouraging them to go back to school. 

 

He observed that some girls were unable to return to school after their maternity leave as their parents could not afford to provide resources for them and their babies. 

 

 

"In the past, there was heavy stigmatisation against girls who returned to school after giving birth. But with sensitisation, the community is beginning to embrace them and schools are helping them fit in," he said. 

 

And Milenge District Camfed Association Member Yvonne Mwelwa was elated by the increased number of girls who have re-enrolled in school after their maternity leave. 

 

Ms. Mwelwa said her association will continue to encourage girls in the area to desist from engaging in illicit activities such as pre-marital sex  which would hinder their personal development once they have unplanned pregnancies. 

 

 

Meanwhile, Eunice Kaunda,  who has gone back to Milenge Secondary School after having a baby said  she is thankful to government for introducing the free education policy which has enabled her continue with her education.

 

"When I had a baby at 17 years old, I dropped out of school due to limited financial resources at home.  I never thought I would ever complete my grade 12.  Thanks to the free education policy, I have a second chance at education and I am now in grade 12," she said. 

 

Eunice also encouraged girls in her situation to fully utilise the education opportunities government is providing and focus on their studies. 

 



 


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