Giving Adolescent Mothers A Second Chance at Education
Giving Adolescent Mothers A Second Chance at Education
Despite government efforts to promote quality and affordable education for all Kenyan children, challenges persist in access, retention, transition, and completion.
While school enrollment has improved over the years, dropout rates remain high, leading to low transition and completion rates and increasing illiteracy levels.
Maurice Mutisya, Director of Zizi Afrique Foundation, has raised concerns over the struggles adolescent mothers face in resuming their education, despite the existence of Kenya’s school re-entry policy.
A case study conducted by the foundation sought to examine the connection between the school re-entry policy and the well-being of children aged 0 to 3 years in Kenya.
The study, carried out between October and December 2024 in Samburu, Siaya, and Mombasa counties, revealed alarmingly high rates of adolescent pregnancies, aligning with the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (2022).
The study found adolescent pregnancy rates at 21% in Siaya, 51% in Samburu, and 17% in Mombasa, with respondents frequently describing the issue as “rampant.”
A headteacher from Samburu County reported that approximately six girls drop out of school due to pregnancy each term, translating to around 20 cases per year.
Giving Adolescent Mothers A Second Chance at Education
Barriers to School Re-Entry for Adolescent Mothers
The Zizi Afrique Foundation identified several key challenges preventing young mothers from continuing their education.
“Despite the high rates of adolescent pregnancies across these counties, society views such pregnancies negatively, as a violation of societal norms,” Mutisya noted.
This negative perception leads to shame, stigma, isolation, and, in some cases, abortion. Adolescent mothers also struggle with school absenteeism, dropping out, and difficulty completing school activities. Many face mental health challenges such as stress and anxiety, compounded by the overwhelming responsibilities of motherhood.
Financial hardships further exacerbate the situation, with many young mothers coming from low-income households.
The burden of raising a child while still a child themselves makes it difficult for them to return to school.
Additional financial pressures, including the cost of basic necessities, create a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of subsequent pregnancies—particularly for teenage mothers with disabilities.
The study also found that awareness of the school re-entry policy remains low.
Even among those who are aware, support for its full implementation is lacking.
Many school administrators, parents, and community members fail to understand the policy’s objectives, leading to resistance.
Factors such as stigma from peers and teachers, financial constraints, lack of childcare facilities, and cultural beliefs further hinder adolescent mothers from re-enrolling in school.
Moreover, reluctance to disclose the number of re-admitted adolescent mothers makes it difficult to track progress and assess the policy’s impact.
Call for Policy Enforcement and Support Systems
To address these challenges, the report recommends stronger enforcement of the school re-entry policy and increased awareness among school administrators, parents, and students.
It also advocates for flexible learning options, such as part-time classes and digital education programs, to accommodate adolescent mothers.
Additionally, community engagement should be strengthened to reduce stigma, and financial and childcare support should be provided to young mothers returning to school.
“Education is crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty. We need a system that fully supports adolescent mothers and their children,” the report emphasized.
The findings have sparked urgent calls for intervention from the government, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure adolescent mothers are not left behind in the pursuit of education.
