How Tanzania can ensure teen mothers return to school
One of the teen mothers appears to be contemplating her future. FILE | PHOTO
What you need to know:
- Teachers are hesitant due to a lack of legal framework, while cultural beliefs continue to stigmatise young mothers, pushing them towards early marriages
Dar es Salaam. In recent years, Tanzania has made significant strides towards inclusive education, particularly for girls who drop out due to pregnancy.
The government's 2021 circular allowing these girls to return to school was a landmark decision.
Despite this progressive directive, many teen mothers in districts like Kisarawe face significant challenges in re-entering the educational system.
Teachers express hesitation due to a lack of legal framework, while cultural beliefs continue to stigmatise young mothers, pushing them towards early marriages.
However, by drawing lessons from successful re-entry policies in neighbouring countries, Tanzania can craft a robust approach to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to complete her education.
The 2021 circular was a significant step forward, aimed at reintegrating teen mothers into formal education.
Yet, its implementation has been hampered by various barriers.
Teachers report feeling unsupported by the absence of a clear legal framework.
"Without a binding legal mandate, the circular feels more like a suggestion rather than an obligation," said one teacher in Kisarawe, who asked to be anonymous.
This sentiment underscores the need for a solid legal foundation to empower educators to enforce the policy confidently.
Cultural norms further complicate the situation. In many communities, a girl who becomes pregnant is often seen as ready for marriage, not school.
This societal view undermines efforts to encourage re-entry.
A local education officer in Kisarawe highlighted this issue, saying, "Changing deeply rooted cultural beliefs is as crucial as legal reform.
Families need to see the value of educating their daughters, even after pregnancy."
How do others manage?
Zanzibar offers a successful model for reintegrating teen mothers. Since 2005, the 'Spinsters and Single Parent Children Protection Act' has allowed pregnant girls to continue their education post-delivery.
The law ensures equal educational opportunities regardless of gender or socio-economic status.
Further, the Zanzibar Education Policy mandates alternative learning opportunities, ensuring no child is left behind.
When a pregnancy is reported, a comprehensive support system is activated. Meetings involving school heads, parents, community leaders, and the pregnant girl ensure a collaborative approach to re-entry.
This process not only addresses the girl’s commitment to education, but also provides a support network to facilitate her return.
Zimbabwe and Zambia have also implemented structured re-entry policies that Tanzania can learn from.
Zimbabwe's policy focuses on counselling and reintegration, ensuring girls receive support before and after taking leave for childbirth.
This counselling is essential for helping young mothers adjust back to school life.
"Counselling bridges the gap between motherhood and education, helping girls to navigate both roles successfully," emphasised a Zimbabwean education expert, Dr Joba Mrungwe in a presentation.
Zambia’s policy, revised in 2012, involves a detailed procedure where schools notify parents, provide counselling, and ensure re-entry within a year of childbirth.
This policy also mandates paternity leave for boys responsible for pregnancies, promoting shared responsibility.
A Zambian educator, Mr Thomas Muhabe, while in a re-entry forum debate recently, noted, "By involving both parents, we foster a sense of shared responsibility, reducing the stigma on the girls."
Malawi's re-entry policy is distinguished by its holistic approach, linking education with various legal frameworks.
It ensures that all stakeholders, from families to government ministries, play a role in supporting re-entry.
The policy is aligned with national laws and international conventions, providing a comprehensive support system for young mothers.
In Malawi, special backing mechanisms at the family and community levels assist teenage parents.
This includes addressing stigma, providing childcare options, and ensuring that girls receive continuous counselling. "Our policy's strength lies in its integration with other laws and the involvement of all societal levels, making re-entry a shared responsibility," stated a Malawian policy analyst in a report.
Tanzania’s context
Drawing from these successful models, several strategies can be employed to ensure effective re-entry for teen mothers in Tanzania.
“It is imperative to transition from guidelines to enforceable laws,” said a quality assurance expert, Mr Daniel Mbwana during an interview with The Citizen.
He insisted that the legal mandate should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of teachers, school administrators, and regional authorities.
"A legal framework provides the necessary authority and clarity for effective implementation," he highlighted.
Engaging all stakeholders in the policy design and implementation process is crucial.
This includes parents, teachers, local leaders, and the students themselves.
Such inclusivity ensures that the policy is well-rounded and addresses all potential barriers.
"Involving the community creates ownership and ensures that the policy is culturally sensitive," noted a local education policy expert, Ms Yvonne Mlelwa.
Establishing robust counselling services for both girls and boys is essential, according to Ms Mlelwa, saying the programmes should offer psychological support and guidance on balancing education with parental responsibilities.
"Counselling is not just about academic support; it's about helping young mothers rebuild their confidence and future aspirations," stated a counsellor from Sega Secondary School in Morogoro, Ms Grace Msele.
Broad-based awareness campaigns can shift cultural attitudes towards teen mothers.
These campaigns should emphasise the value of education and the long-term benefits of allowing girls to complete their schooling.
A Kisarawe District resident remarked, "Changing mindsets requires persistent education and engagement with community leaders."
Implementing a robust monitoring system to track the progress of re-entry cases can ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
Regular assessments will help identify challenges and successes, allowing for timely interventions.
"Monitoring provides data that can inform policy adjustments and ensure that the system remains responsive to the needs of young mothers," explained a monitoring and evaluation specialist at a local organisation, Mr Donald Brook.
The journey towards effective re-entry policies for teen mothers in Tanzania is challenging but achievable.
By learning from the successful experiences of Zanzibar, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, Tanzania can develop a comprehensive approach that addresses both legal and cultural barriers.
“Implementing a clear legal framework, involving all stakeholders, providing extensive counselling, raising community awareness, and establishing a strong monitoring system are critical steps towards ensuring that every girl, regardless of her circumstances, has the opportunity to complete her education,” he noted.
As Tanzania moves forward with its commitment to formulate a law that mandates re-entry, the focus must remain on creating an inclusive, supportive environment that empowers teen mothers to return to school and achieve their full potential.
The success of this initiative will not only benefit the individual girls but also contribute to the broader socio-economic development of the nation.
Under the support of Bill&Melinda Gates
