Non-Governmental Organisation, ZiZi Afrique, has called for a multi-sectoral approach to bridge gaps in nurturing care for Early Childhood Development (ECD) systems and to strengthen implementation of the school re-entry policy that requires teenage mothers to be enrolled back into school.
Speaking during a forum convened by ZiZi Afrique to disseminate findings from its Political and Economic Analysis on ECD, Programme Officer and researcher Lydiah Oyugi said that while the policy is critical, its implementation still faces resistance.
“Some school administrators remain reluctant to enrol teenage mothers. The policy also has a gap since it only focuses on adolescent girls, leaving out their children aged 0–3 years. We must shift focus to both the teenage mothers and their children,” noted Oyugi.
She added that the organisation worked with the Ministry of Education and grassroots health workers to reach teenage mothers. Findings from the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (2022) and the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) revealed that Siaya County’s teenage pregnancy rate stands at about 21 percent, higher than the national average of 15 percent.
“Teen pregnancies are most prevalent among girls with little education, particularly in villages, while urban areas recorded lower numbers,” Oyugi explained.
ZiZi Afrique’s community-based research also engaged girls during antenatal visits and at home. The study revealed that 1,520 girls were re-admitted back to school, though the majority remain out of the education system.
Across schools in Siaya, Samburu, and Mombasa counties, the average dropout rate was reported at 17.3 percent, while the re-entry rate stood at 78.4 percent. The study recommended strategies to strengthen nurturing care for ECD alongside school re-entry programmes, particularly in high-burden counties such as Siaya.
The forum brought together senior county officials including: CECM Agriculture Hon. Sylvester K’Okoth, CECM Health Dr. Martin Kónyango, CECM Lands Hon. Maurice Mc Orege, Governance Chief Officer Mr. Walter Okello, Gender and Training Development Chief Officer Ms. Judy Oyugi, Assistant County Commissioner Mr. Kaleke Koyiet, Director of Culture Mr. Ken Oreyo, and Director of Strategy and M&E Mr. Peter Ligulu (also MST Chair). Also in attendance were Director of Education Mr. Peter Otieno, Siaya Municipality Manager Linet Oyola, ECD Coordinators, departmental focal persons, nurturing care partners, and the Smart Start Siaya Secretariat.
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