Community support vital for teen mothers’ education

EDUCATION stakeholders have called for increased community support to enable teen mothers to return to school and access educational opportunities.

This call to action was made during a recent event commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, which convened experts to discuss the challenges faced by girls.

Room to Read Tanzania, Acting Country Director, Ms Agripina Kadama said the community must embrace the significance of educating girls and abandon stigmatizing cultural practices.

“Community support to girls who have faced setbacks and help them achieve their goals is crucial as it will help them rise and achieve their aspirations,” she said She said that supporting teen mothers returning to school after giving birth offers them a second chance to pursue their dreams.

“The community should wholeheartedly embrace this initiative, as it can transform the future of these girls. The government has already taken decisive steps to reinstate girls who dropped out due to pregnancy, but community support is indispensable for its success,” she added.

Project Officer for Girls’ Education at Room to Read Ms Chonge Tukwa pointed out ongoing challenges, including societal attitudes towards teen mothers and the girls’ personal readiness to resume their education.

“Despite positive progress, obstacles persist. Some girls may not feel prepared to return to school after their experiences, and bullying or stigma from fellow students and the community can further hinder the process,” she said.

Ms Tukwa further said there was a need for comprehensive support, including psychological assistance alongside educational reintegration.

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“Providing these girls with psychological support is paramount. It helps them recognize that, despite their challenges, they still have the potential to achieve their goals,” she said, also suggesting that separate schools could offer a more conducive environment for these young mothers. Similarly, Ms Martha Chiduo from the Organization for Community Development (OCODE) urged parents to actively support their daughters in returning to school.

“The government has fulfilled its fundamental responsibility, and stakeholders are working diligently to ensure the success of this initiative. Parents must play a pivotal role by supporting girls who aspire to return to school, enabling them to access their right to education and achieve their dreams,” she said.

Despite President Samia Suluhu Hassan lifting the ban on teenage mothers’ return to school, many still encounter significant barriers.

Extreme poverty and lack of family support remain major challenges preventing their successful reintegration into the education system.

In response to the president’s directive, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology introduced re-entry guidelines in 2022.

However, sustained efforts are necessary to ensure that parental and community support is firmly in place, enabling teen mothers to fully capitalize on the second chance they have been given.