Allow teenage mothers back to school to continue with education, PS Bitok tells school heads

The Basic Education Principal Secretary (PS) Prof. Julius Bitok has asked school heads to allow teenage mothers to go back to school and continue their academic journey.

Speaking at Sugubo Secondary school in Nyacheki Ward of Bobasi Constituency, Kisii County during the community empowerment programme drive, Bitok said that the government will work with all education partners to retain teenage mothers in school.

He said that many girls fall victim to teenage pregnancies which force them to abandon their homes to avoid shame and later fall victim to more social vices like drug abuse, prostitution and early marriages.

He asked parents and teachers to be lenient by offering guidance and counselling services to them and accommodate them back to school

“We are not saying that we encourage our daughters to be pregnant when they are in school but we are suggesting ways of redeeming those who may fall into this trap of early pregnancies,” he said

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Kisii County Woman Representative, Doris Aburi also talking during the same event, said that she has moved a motion in parliament aiming to enlighten communities on their rights against child abuse, gender violence and others related vices like rape.

She regretted that many females have suffered numerous untold abuses in the community because of lack of knowledge of the law.

She reiterated that once the bill passed into law it will liberate many from the burdens of avoidable abuses in society.

She highlighted her commitment towards empowering the community by supporting education, farming and health programmes by using the National Government Affirmative Funds (NGAAF).

During the meeting the Woman MP distributed sanitary towels to school girls, water tanks to selected schools and goats to widows.

She also distributed Hass Avocado seedlings to Sugubo Secondary School and its neighbours, urging schools to embrace tree planting especially those bearing fruits for both food and environment beautification.

By Enock Okong’o.