KEWOTA Warns of Teen Pregnancy and Dropout Risks Amid School Closures and Flooding
The closure of schools poses significant risks, warns Benta Opande, CEO of the Kenya Women Teachers Association (KEWOTA).
She cautions that similar to the disruptions caused by Covid-19, girls are particularly vulnerable to abuse amidst floods and displacement, deprived of the protective environment schools provide.
Opande acknowledges the necessity of school closures but urges the government to implement guidelines ensuring children’s safety beyond the classroom.
“Sometimes these schools act as a safe haven to protect children, at the moment if you look at families more so women and girls who are displaced are now exposed to twice as much danger,” Opande said.
Reflecting on the surge in teen pregnancies and dropout rates during the pandemic, she emphasizes the need for preemptive measures by the government.
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A 2021 report commissioned by former President Uhuru Kenyatta underscores the detrimental impact of school closures during Covid-19.
The report, titled ‘Promises to Keep: Impact of Covid-19 on Adolescents,’ reveals that over 375,000 learners abandoned their education.
Notably, 165,000 adolescent girls, aged 10 to 19, either married or became pregnant during this period. Opande stresses the importance of providing counseling to students upon their return to school.
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Janet Ouko Muthoni, an educationist, echoes Opande’s concerns and urges the Ministry of Education to assess learning disparities among returning students through research.
It’s imperative to address these gaps to ensure an effective transition back into the educational system.
KEWOTA Warns of Teen Pregnancy and Dropout Risks Amid School Closures and Flooding
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