Ministry of General Education spokesperson Hillary Chipango said the re-entry policy has scored a number of successes because a number of girls have gone back to school and successfully completed their secondary education.
Mr. Chipango restated that the ministry introduced the policy in order to offer girls who drop out of school due to early pregnancies a second chance to have access to education.
He said the policy was a measure and recognition of the importance of addressing gender inequalities in national development and the need to narrow the gender gap in education.
He stated that the girls are given leave and are re-admitted between six months and one year after delivery.
Mr. Chipango said apart from that, the Ministry of General Education also introduced bursaries to cater for orphans and the vulnerable pupils in the community especially the girl child.
He explained that the bursary allocation was 60 percent for girls while 40 percent was for the boys.
He said the allocation of more bursaries to girls was due to the fact that they are the most disadvantaged in the community.
And Mr. Chipango has said a total of 89,392 pupils across the country got bursaries in 2015.
He added that there were many other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and community based organisations which have pledged financial and material support to pupils.
He encouraged the girls not to feel ashamed but to take advantage of the re-entry policy in order to get an education.
He said girls’ lack of education as a result of early pregnancies contributed to worsening the situation and promoted unemployment levels among women.
Mr. Chipango noted that women empowerment was vital because it enabled them to contribute positively to national development noting that the re-entry policy was the first step to achieving this.
He said the 2,047 girls that have been re-admitted have been saved from early marriages, unemployment and other negative vices which come as result of lack of education.
He has since appealed to members of the general public to support all girls in order for them to attain their right to education.
I wish I would say God be praised…..its sad indeed…..morality is down…I hope they were not encouraged to used condoms next time or worse tie their tubes in the hope of empowering women in the wrong way
These are the results of learning sex issues not from your parents but from influencial friends and boyfriends. Sex guidelines should start from home.
Forward with the Nation.
This is good development of giving second chance to erring children. What is included in the bursary for each child. LT please, go back to bring this information for us to appreciate.
Am I the only one who has noticed that this story is not about school but a funeral?