• The exercise targets girls from both primary and secondary schools
• Those identified are subjected to guidance and counselling before they are readmitted to school.
Image: FILE
The national government has begun taking back to school willing lactating and married women in Homa Bay.
The programme, under the ministries of Interior and Education, is being undertaken in Rangwe constituency. Young women who dropped out of school after giving birth will continue with their education.
Homa Bay is among the counties leading in teenage pregnancies and underage marriages. It has a drop out rate of 38 per cent.
Rangwe was last year among areas with the highest number of KCPE and KCSE candidates sitting national exams. Seven teenage mothers are back to school.
Sub-county deputy director of education Ziada Osano said the exercise will help in the implementation of the 100 per cent transition of learners from primary to secondary schools. He was speaking during Education Day at St Paul’s Ligisa Secondary School on Monday.
“The exercise targets girls from both primary and secondary schools. The girls are given another chance to realise their dreams through education,” Osano said.
He said Operation Return To School involves chiefs, their assistants and village elders who identify girls who left schools due to pregnancy.
Those identified are subjected to guidance and counselling before they are readmitted to avoid stigmatisation.
“Girls are encouraged that education is a process aimed to improve their future lives, hence they have no difficulties in getting back to school after giving birth,” Osano said.
Girls are also discouraged not to engage in social activities that can ruin their lives.
MCAs among them Ojala Nyang'i (Kochia) said they support the initiative, adding that they will discuss it at the assembly for the county government to chip in.
Nyang’i argued that the programme would be sustainable if the county government is involved.
“We’re mobilising our colleagues to ensure the programme is backed by law in the county assembly. We ensure every child to get access to basic education which is compulsory in the country,” Nyang’i said.
The MCA told parents to be involved to reduce the stigmatisation of teenage mothers.