The Ministry of Education (MoE) has unveiled a new unit dedicated to tackling teenage pregnancy in schools. Appearing before the Senate Education Committee in Mombasa, Education CS Julius Ogamba announced that the initiative is expected to coordinate efforts across schools, communities, and government agencies to curb rising cases of teenage pregnancy and hold perpetrators accountable.
During the session, Nominated Senator Catherine Mumma issued a stark warning about the scale of abuse affecting learners. She said both girls and boys are increasingly vulnerable to sexual exploitation, and condemned the practice of transferring teachers accused of defilement to other schools.
“We are killing our girls. And it’s not just girls we are also killing the boys. Sodomy is happening. Teachers found guilty should never be moved elsewhere. That’s how repeat offences happen,” she said.
Mumma cited disturbing statistics from Nyakach, where 3,816 teenage pregnancies were recorded in 2023, including cases involving children as young as 10. She urged the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to overhaul its approach in handling sexual misconduct.
TSC Director for Legal, Labour and Industrial Relations Cavin Anyuor confirmed that the commission had received 111 reports of sexual misconduct by teachers since January 2024. These included cases of sexual relations with learners, harassment, flirtation, and sodomy. He said all cases are handled under the Code of Regulations for Teachers.
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“When a teacher is found guilty, he or she is dismissed and deregistered,” Anyuor told the committee. He added that 69 teachers had been deregistered, nine dismissed without license revocation, 25 suspended, and four cleared of wrongdoing. Three cases were closed due to the death of the accused. However, none of the dismissed teachers have faced prosecution in court.
Anyuor also outlined the reporting channels available to students and staff, including TSC offices, school boards, heads of institutions, and law enforcement agencies. He stressed that reports must be filed within 24 hours, warning that failure to report is itself an offence. “We have a free hotline and a public email for anonymous reporting,” he said.
Senator Betty Montet raised concerns about stalled progress in sex education, citing disagreements with religious institutions over curriculum content. She said the lack of clear guidance has left schools ill-equipped to address the crisis.
CS Ogamba acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, describing teenage pregnancy and sex education as a “hot potato” that requires careful but decisive handling.
The ministry said the new unit will serve as a central coordination point for child protection efforts in schools, aiming to reduce teenage pregnancies and ensure that offenders face consequences.
By Masaki Enock
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