By Weswa Ronnie
NAMISINDWA
As government plans to open schools country wide next week after two year closure due to the outbreak of covid19, at least 6,480 girl pupils from both primary and secondary schools in Namisindwa district may not resume studies due to early pregnancies.
This was revealed by Sophie Kuloba, the Namasindwa acting district education officer while speaking to hundreds of teenage mothers at Magale parent’s secondary school yesterday 6th January 2022.
The meeting took place at Magala town council during Cycles Social Engagement with area MP, John Musila and district leaders.
According to Kuloba, based on the new statistics they carried out this month, at least 6,480 girl pupils between 11 to 15 years of age from different primary and secondary schools across the district got pregnant during lock down whereby some are breast feeding as others are still pregnant.
She urged parents to talk to the affected children so they can go back to school if they open next week since it’s not the end of their life.
Swagiya Nabunya, the Namisindwa District Police Commander also urged parents to stop always negotiating defilement cases at homes but report them to police and suspects be arrested to reduce cases such cases.
She urged the affected girls not to get ashamed if they resume studies at school but study hard and get a bright future.
However, John Musila Member of Parliament representing Bubulo East Constituency in Namisindwa district while delivering his cycle social support and consolation to the victims pledged to support the girls with scholastic materials like books, pens, sets among others if they resume studies next week.
He urged the government under the ministry of gender labor and social development to employ counselors at both private and government schools to console these girls who got pregnant during lock down such that they can’t be stigmatized by their fellows in class.
