Tuesday 6th May 2008

 WHO:  Centre for the Study of Adolescence

WHAT: LAUNCH -    Down the Drain:  Counting the costs of teenage pregnancy and school drop out

WHEN: Tuesday 6th May 2008

TIME: 9.00 AM – 1.00 PM 

WHERE:Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi

In recent years, government has demonstrated its commitment to meeting the Education For All (EFA) and Millennium Development (MDG) goals related to education through increased investment in the sector. Despite this there many challenges that lead to school drop out especially for girls. Key among these is teenage pregnancy which contributes significantly to higher drop out rates among girls compared to boys.

The government of Kenya introduced the “Return to School” policy guidelines to enable girls who get pregnant return to school after delivery. While this policy gives a second chance to girls, its implementation has been plagued by several challenges.

Stiff opposition from those who believe that allowing teenage mothers to return to school would trigger a multiplier effect among other girls coupled with stigma both from the school and the community prevents most girls from going back to school. In addition, there are no penalties for non-compliance of schools that refuse to implement the policy.

The incredible wastage associated with the phenomenon of teenage pregnancy calls for the urgent attention of Kenyan households, schools and policy makers  Based on the estimates of 10,000 girls dropping out of the school system annually, government alone could be losing up to Kshs. 60 million per year.

The Centre for the Study of Adolescence (CSA) initiated and implemented a project aimed at promoting the right to education for girls with emphasis on enhancing the implementation of the Ministry of Education’s Return to School Policy Guidelines.

This was carried out in selected schools in Suba and Kisumu districts – where high rates of teenage pregnancies and related school drop out prevail.  At the national level, teenage pregnancy stands at 23 percent while for Nyanza province it is 29 percent, with Kisumu and Suba districts recording the highest rates.

The CSA project has led to increased awareness on the policy guidelines and enhanced its implementation. However, it is also clear that successful implementation of these guidelines requires a multi-pronged approach that combines community sensitization and awareness creation with support to both the community and school system to create an environment that supports the re-entry of girl-mothers into the education system.  The CSA report presents a simple assessment of the social-economic implications to both government and Kenyan households even as it suggests a way forward.

Contact Person

Rosemarie Muganda-Onyando

Executive Director

Centre for the Study of Adolescence

Tel. 020 4445951, 020 4452240, 0722757591, 0722810042

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