- Jumwa said the government has put in place national commitments and legislation to ensure 100 per cent transition of learners, which includes pregnant teens.
- She said that the privilege of staying in school gives girls a chance to get a good career, and teaches them to be responsible.
Image: PCS
Gender Cabinet Secretary Aisha Jumwa has condemned Bungoma governor Kenneth Lusaka for allegedly suggesting that pregnant teens should be barred from continuing with their studies.
In a statement, Jumwa said policies that discriminate against girls because of pregnancy or marriage violate international and regional human rights law and the Kenyan Constitution 2010.
She said that the privilege of staying in school gives these girls a chance to get a good career, teaches them to be responsible and keeps them from being isolated and doing things that could potentially be harmful to them and the baby.
“I would like to condemn in the strongest terms possible those sentiments of a leader of the stature of the Bungoma Governor who is not only a leader but a parent and a would-be opinion leader,” Jumwa said.
Speaking to journalists at his home on Saturday, the governor said a law barring their resumption would go a long way in ensuring teenage girls are “careful and responsible”.
“Nowadays girls are getting pregnant and allowed to go back to school, where many are seeing it as a non-issue,” he said.
The governor said in the past, such things were not there.
“We can say that once pregnant schools girls are not allowed in school and that will be the end of her education, that will act as a deterrent for those who may be tempted to get pregnant,” he said.
In her statement on Monday, Jumwa asked Lusaka to revisit the Kenya Kwanza manifesto which states “Education is the ultimate means of engendering an equitable society”.
“Equitable education ensures that every child has a chance to fulfil their potential and rise to the highest level of accomplishment irrespective of their social background,” she said.
The CS noted that the government has put in place national commitments and legislation to ensure 100 per cent transition of learners, which includes pregnant teens.
She further noted that Kenya also has a re-entry policy that allows learners who drop out of school for whatever reason to be able to complete their education.
“The policy is clear on learners who drop out of school due to pregnancy. Learners who become pregnant shall be re-admitted to the same class/form/grade they were in before they left the school to deliver the baby unconditionally,” she added.
Jumwa said learners who wish to join another school will be supported by the school head through the Sub-County Director of Education to gain admission into another institution.