This archive report was first published on 19 July 2020.
On July 14, the Ministry of Education issued a directive to head teachers, asking them to collect data on schoolgirls who have become pregnant during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The directive, signed by Basic Education PS Belio Kipsang, requires head teachers to work closely with the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government and the Ministry of Health to get full information on the identity and location of the pregnant schoolgirls.
The principals and head teachers are required to forward the information to ministry headquarters by July 23.
According to the circular, the purpose of collecting the data is to have all regions, counties, and sub-counties collect data on girls who are currently expecting and those who have recently given birth and could be potential dropouts when schools reopen.
The directive has caused confusion among teachers, with some questioning how it will be implemented, especially since schools remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had earlier ordered investigations into the pregnancies, and the Ministry of Education is now seeking to collect data on the number of students who could have been defiled when at home.
CS Magoha said that teachers are helping national government administrators to collect data on the number of students who could have been defiled when at home.
He said chiefs and their assistants were instructed to establish the number of schoolgirls who have been impregnated while at home.
Prof Magoha cast doubt on the figures saying the government will issue the correct data after teachers and chiefs collect the information from respective schools.
Kenya has recently reported a surge in teen pregnancies and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) with the cases being attributed to Covid-19 lock down.
On July 6, President Kenyatta directed the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) to probe the vice in 30 days and report back to him.
