The Mbire community has been left in a shock as girls married off at young ages are heavily pregnant and cannot sit for their grade 7 ZIMSEC exams.
Despite government policy allowing pregnant girls to continue with their education, the parents of these girls seem to be unperturbed by the future of their children.
Sixteen girls at Monozi Primary School in Mbire district were unable to sit for their Grade 7 exams due to early pregnancies resulting from child marriages. This alarming trend was highlighted during a mobile one-stop centre session at the school.
A teacher, who talked on condition of anonymity, revealed that the number of school dropouts due to such circumstances is on the rise.
“We submit monthly reports on school dropouts to the district. It is disheartening to see that these girls are not only missing their exams but that their parents seem unconcerned about their education,” the teacher stated. Rudo Chidembo, the village head of Chipita, highlighted that early marriages and teenage pregnancies are common issues in the community.
She believes that initiatives like the mobile one-stop centres can play a crucial role in combating these problems, as they aim to provide support and resources to prevent teenage pregnancies and early marriages.
“It pains me to know that we have girls who have missed their final examinations because they are pregnant,” she added. The community is hoping that with increased awareness and support, such challenges can be addressed, allowing girls to continue their education and build a better future.
