Concern as 11 teens in school fall pregnant

The classes are mud-walled with no windows. The school is in such a remote area, students walk kilometres to access it from their homes. Welcome to Pemja Primary School in Nandi County. There’s more heavy news though. Eleven pupils at the school, started in 1977, are pregnant.

“Some of the girls have been complaining of unexplained headaches and stomach pain. We took them to Kaptumek Health Centre to undergo pregnancy tests. The results were positive,” says headmaster Benjamin Korir. The girls who are from Standard Six, Seven and Eight are aged between 12 to 17.

Korir said four of the minors are Standard Six pupils while three are in Standard Seven. Two are waiting to sit their KCPE examinations later this year. Interestingly, the school’s motto is ‘Life is a struggle’ and the terrain to access the facility is rough and harsh. Even a motorbike would have serious trouble accessing the school, located on a hill.

But who has been ‘chewing’ the girl’s innocence?

“There is also a likelihood that they got pregnant during the holidays after they were lured by former students who dropped out for various reasons,” said Korir.

The head teacher says given that the pupils walk long distance to reach the school in Cheberen village, there is a possibility they may have been enticed by villagers who took advantage of their innocence.

But parents blame the school for failing to take good care of their daughters. David Sang, whose fourth born child is among the pregnant pupils, says the school has never undertaken any guidance and counseling for the girls.

Parents to blame?

“I never knew that my child who is a candidate was pregnant until I received a letter from the school summoning me together with other 10 parents. This news has shocked me,” he says.

He goes on: “I had high hopes in my daughter but the thought of her becoming a mother at such a tender age saddens me.”

Sang absolves parents of blame saying the children spent most of their time in school.

“My daughter confided in me that a boy in her class is responsible but the school claims that villagers were responsible. That is all lies. Where was the school administration and teachers when love affairs were blossoming between pupils?” Sang poses.

After learning of the pregnancy news, the District Education Officer Walter Sang visited the institution to ascertain the facts and kick start investigations.

There are however conflicting reports on the exact number of pupils who are pregnant.

While the head teacher insists that they are nine, parents claim 11 pupils are heavy with child. The school’s chairperson William Malakwen says there are more than seven pregnant girls. Malakwen says it is an embarrassment to the school and the community but blames the parents for failing to closely monitor their children’s movements.

“It is an unfortunate incident but we are liaising with the Ministry of Education in Nandi as well as security officials to ensure that culprits are brought to book,” says Malakwen.

Contrary to reports that the girls have been kicked out of school, the head teacher insists that they are still attending classes.

“As per the government regulations, every student has a right to education irregardless of their condition,” he says.

Parents are also wondering why the school management demanded Sh1, 000 from the parents.

“The 11 of us are poor parents and have to struggle to even raise money for food, how then can we source for funds to pay the nurse and police,” Sang says.

Bogged down with challenges, the school also faces high dropout rates among pupils.

“Every term we receive reports of 10 to 15 pupils who have dropped out of school. We have not managed to establish why they choose to discontinue with their studies,” he said.

The principal is now calling on the Ministry of Education to assist in the construction of boarding facilities to avoid unfortunate incidents.