Auleria Wakudumo
Onandjokwe – As the school term begins, many pregnant pupils are faced with the heart-wrenching reality of having to put their education on hold for at least one or two years.
Pregnant pupils at the maternity ward Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital said due to the lack of reliable childcare options, they are forced to stay at home to care for their new-borns, missing out on important opportunities for personal and academic growth.
One of the pregnant pupils said she wants to continue her higher education in nursing, but there is no one to look after her baby.
“I passed Grade 12 with 30 points and I really want to go back to school, but I know I also have to take care of my baby. So then I’ll stay home for a year and continue my studies next year,” she added.
Victoria Jonas said she was supposed to continue Grade 8 this year, but she can’t because there is no one to take care of her child while she is at school.
“I feel bad that my peers are moving forward, but I have no choice. I have to stay home with my baby for now,” Jonas said.
She added that she dreams of becoming a teacher or nurse one day and hopes to do her best when she returns to school next year.
“I have always admired nurses as they walk around the hospital or care for us in the ward. Becoming a nurse has always been my dream, and seeing how beautiful their uniforms are has inspired me to stay focused. I have learnt from my past, and plan to continue my studies next year,” she said.
Martha Amakali added that she has to repeat Grade 9 because she didn’t write the final examination this year. Despite this, Amakali remains hopeful that she will succeed next time.
Despite others being confident that they will return to school, Josephina Akwaale says she has to look for a new school because her family had relocated.
“Looking for a new school can be challenging especially as Grade 11 classes are probably full and I don’t have my previous grade’s report card. The thought of going back to my old school is haunting me. People are judgemental,” Akwaale said.
The Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Anna Nghipondoka explained the government’s learner pregnancy policy that pupils are allowed to remain in school until the time to deliver their babies.
“After giving birth, learners are advised to stay home for at least a year to breastfeed and properly care for their children. However, if a reliable parent or guardian is available to look after the baby and ensure its safety, the mother can return to school and care for her child after school,” Nghipondoka said.
She said as more teenagers face the challenges of unwanted teenage pregnancy, the policy emphasises the crucial role that parents must play in supporting their children during this critical time of their lives.
For many teenage mothers, pregnancy can be isolating, with feelings of abandonment and exclusion by peers intensifying.
Parents however, can be a powerful source of emotional support, helping their children navigate this difficult period and ensuring they have the resources and care they need, the minister added.