Why CS Amina has ordered all KCPE candidates who gave birth to be tracked

ruby orimba

December 5, 2018 12:57 PM

The Education CS gave the orders on Wednesday

Education CS Amina Mohamed

Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed on Wednesday ordered all education officials in the counties to track down KCPE candidates who gave birth during the 2018 exam season.

She gave the orders while noting that the officials are to ensure that the teen mothers join Form 1 in January and that they receive special treatment in their new schools.

"I particularly wish to highlight the ‘re-entry policy’, which must guide school principals and head teachers to admit, accommodate and support returning students.

"We need to put in place measures to deal with such cases and guarantee education to all children," she stated.

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She added: "We must all recognise that the issue of teenage pregnancies is a moral issue with heavy implications for basic and lifelong learning. “It is a multi-sectoral challenge that calls for the attention of all government agencies, the public and civil society. We must all become part of the solution," Amina stated.

Teenage Pregnancies in Kenya

According to statistics, Narok county had the highest number of teenage pregnancies by November 2018 with 40% prevalence rate.

Homa Bay, West Pokot and Tana River followed closely with 33%, 29% and 28% prevalence rate respectively.

Murang'a county had the lowest prevalence rate at 6% as Nairobi tied at the midway point with Siaya and Wajir at 17%.

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Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia encouraged schools to strengthen their guidance and counselling departments to ensure cases of teenage pregnancies and indiscipline reduce.

"Each school must start and strengthen guidance and counselling departments and have senior teachers and deputy principals heading them to ensure we restore discipline in our learners," Macharia stated.

ruby orimba