KEWOTA Alerts People to the Risks of Teen Pregnancy and Dropout.
Benta Opande, the CEO of the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA), cautions that there are serious concerns associated with closing schools.
She warns that, as with the interruptions brought on by COVID-19, girls are especially susceptible to abuse during floods and displacement because they are not in the safe haven that schools offer.
While acknowledging that school closures are necessary, Opande is urging the government to enact regulations that guarantee children’s safety outside of the classroom.
Opande stated, “If you look at families more so, women and girls who are displaced are now exposed to twice as much danger. Sometimes these schools act as a safe haven to protect children.”
She highlights the necessity for preventive actions by the government in light of the spike in teen pregnancies and dropout rates during the pandemic.
Under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s panel, a 2021 report emphasizes the negative effects of school closures during COVID-19.
According to the paper “Promises to Keep: Impact of Covid-19 on Adolescents,” more than 375,000 students dropped out of school.
During this time, 165,000 teenage girls, ages 10 to 19, got married or became pregnant, which is noteworthy. Opande emphasizes how crucial it is to give students counseling when they return to school.
Education expert Janet Ouko Muthoni shares Opande’s worries and asks the Ministry of Education to do study to see whether returning pupils have different learning outcomes.
To guarantee a smooth transition back into the educational system, these gaps must be filled.
KEWOTA Alerts People to the Risks of Teen Pregnancy and Dropout.
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