Enyangyi talk show: Education Ministry proposes guidelines defending pregnant adolescent mothers
In Enyangyi show today July 19,2020,a Runyankore-Rukiga show every Sunday 12-2pm FM 91.2 www.croozefm.com , we are discussing the guidelines proposed by Education ministry for a conducive environment for pregnant girls / pregnant adolescent mothers in primary and secondary when schools reopen.
A section of Members of Parliament have rejected the guidelines to the victims retained in school and continue studying with other classmates even after giving birth stressing that they will send a bad signal.
The MPs were at a meeting organized by Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) held at Imperial Royale Hotel Kampala on July 14,2020.
In the proposals, the ministry wants all schools have a school health committee coordinated by the senior woman /man that is responsible for handling issues of retention of pregnant girls at schools and re-entry of adolescent mothers.
However, some members of parliament who include Kibaale district woman MP Noeline Kisembo, Amuru district woman MP Lucy Akello , Bunya East county MP James Waira Majegere and UPDF representative Flavia Byekwaso said that they would not support any proposals that is going to spoil other students .
Majegere said that school going pregnant girls should be only entertained at higher institution of learning but not in primary and secondary level.
The draft proposals presented to Members of Parliament by the Technical Advisor in charge of gender unit at the Ministry of Education Rosset Nanyanzi includes that once the adolescent mother’s baby is at least six months, she shall be allowed to be admitted back to school unconditionally.
Still more, the schools shall prioritize the admission of the young mothers after pregnancy and parents shall report the school that has refused to admit their daughter.
The proposals also indicate that all teachers shall protect the pregnant girls and adolescent mothers from stigma and discrimination.
In studio: Mrs Jolly Migisha, activist (women rights advocate), Laban Kanywa, director Global High School Mbarara doubling as the chairperson Federation of Non-State Education Institutions (FENEI) western Uganda , and Analyst Aaron Turahi.
On phone : Julius Begumya, chairman of secondary school headteachers in Bukanga Isingiro district who doubles as headteacher Kigaragara voc sec school Kashumba Bukanga Isingiro and director Bright future p/sch Mbare Bukanga Isingiro.
