Tanzanian government allays fears over schoolgirl pregnancy policy concerns

He disclosed that a total of 10,300 girls who became pregnant while in school have returned to continue their education—either at their previous schools or other institutions—after giving birth.

“We have conducted studies, and the findings confirm that the return-to-school policy has not led to an increase in pregnancy rates,” said Prof Mkenda.

The minister said the initiative stems from the conviction that education is a basic right, and denying young mothers the opportunity to resume their studies would amount to denying them their future.

“Pregnancy is not the end of a girl’s dreams. Let us not rob them of the chance to learn and shape their lives. Education is the key to life,” he said.

Prof Mkenda noted that the reintegration of young mothers into the education system is being guided by a specific directive from the Commissioner for Education, which outlines procedures that prioritise the welfare of both the student and her child.

He acknowledged that the policy has faced resistance from some parents and teachers, who worry that it might create a precedent and result in more cases of teenage pregnancy.

However, he reiterated that there is no evidence supporting such fears: “The research shows clearly that this policy does not contribute to more pregnancies.”

On the issue of school absenteeism, Prof Mkenda said the problem remains widespread. In response, the government intends to assign a unique identification number to every student to enable improved tracking of attendance—even for those who transfer or study abroad.

He revealed that Geita Region currently records the highest absenteeism rate, with the majority of absent students being boys.

Turning to higher education, Prof Mkenda highlighted that the government has substantially increased the student loan budget—from Sh464 billion in 2021 to Sh787 billion this year.

However, many eligible students still miss out due to mistakes in the application process.

“Many applicants are not filling in the loan forms properly. For instance, if you have lost a parent, you must attach a death certificate—many fail to do this, and their applications get rejected,” he explained.

He encouraged students to make use of the government’s loan helpline if their applications are unsuccessful, noting that several students have been able to secure funding after rectifying their errors.

He also cautioned that well-off families should not misuse the system by applying for government loans. “These funds are meant for students from families that genuinely cannot afford tuition fees—not for those who can,” he said.

Meanwhile, girls’ rights advocate Ms Veronica Chaki noted that some parents remain a major obstacle to reintegration efforts.

“Some parents hide their daughters out of shame when they fall pregnant, not realising that doing so denies them their right to education,” she said.

She added that fear of legal action also contributes to the problem, as those responsible for impregnating schoolgirls often flee to avoid prosecution.

“For girls to return to school, we need the full cooperation of the community—including parents, teachers and all other stakeholders,” Ms Chaki emphasised.