High Rate of Schoolgirl Pregnancy in Laikipia Alarming, Leaders

Officials say the high number of dropouts is occasioned by early pregnancies and marriage among schoolgirls and lack of motivation among the boys.

They further pointed out that most schoolgirls who get early pregnancies or are married off come from underprivileged families who fail to raise school fees to sustain them in school.

According to Limunga Secondary School Principal Njoroge Mutoru, the last on year the school has lost 18 girls as a result of early pregnancies.

Mutoru says the matter is grave and has forced them to seek the help of the local chief, DC and the children’s department for intervention in order to reduce the incidences.

Speaking to Citizen TV at the school, the principal observed that there was a high poverty level among the residents, which was to blame for the high school dropout rates.

The principal blamed scarcity of resources with the shrinking sizes of land due to the rising population for the surging numbers of school dropouts.

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Mutoru further appealed for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to emphasize the need to educate their children, establish more schools and expand the available facilities in order to accommodate them.

He underscored the need to ensure that children of school going age get access to education as a way, of not only reducing the illiteracy levels, but also equipping the children with necessary skills.

Former Industrialisation Assistant minister Nderitu Mureithi also says issues of teenage pregnancies call for a proper guidance to the students.

He says career guidance and counseling is necessary in order to motivate them to remain in school.

The former minister called on all stakeholders and other crucial government departments to help fight this menace.

By Wangui Ngechu