This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
September 30, 2019
Migori County Director of Education Elizabeth Otieno has warned that the government will not allow schools to compromise rules and regulations while handling reported cases of early pregnancies.
Speaking to the press in her office, Otieno emphasized that the ministry's role is to implement policies, and it will not allow parents or students to dictate what should happen when dealing with pregnancy cases.
She cited a case at Bishop Okinda Achuth secondary school in Uriri Sub-County, where form four students and parents ganged up against the school board while trying to address increasing pregnancies among students.
According to Otieno, most of the reported cases involved students who will be sitting for the KNEC exam next month.
“Most of these cases are involving students themselves, especially those in upper primary and secondary,” Ms Otieno said.
She expressed regret that some parents are supporting student relationships in schools and even getting involved in such relationships, making it difficult for the schools to find a solution.
“Our regret is that on that meeting we found that some of the parents are also involved in these students' relationships and not ready to listen to anything touching their children about the issue,” she said.
Otieno urged parents to play their role instead of blaming the government, as they have more time with their children.
She added that the government will do everything possible to control early pregnancies among students without compromising laid-down school rules and regulations.
On Friday, police had to tear gas rowdy form four students and parents at Bishop Okinda Achuth after their attempt to force the school board to accept their demands over students' illicit relationships.
The candidates were sent home and will be readmitted in class after conforming to school conditions, according to the CDE.
Elsewhere, Mama Ida Odinga expressed her concern on the issue at Nyarach primary school in Rongo Sub-County, saying that 1,580 cases of pregnancy in one of the sub-counties in Migori is unacceptable.
Odinga urged young people, especially students, to refrain from illicit relationships and focus on their education, citing that pregnancy is neither a skill, business, nor a job.
