Pregnant learners

The government has criticized utterances made by the Bishop of Mukono Diocese Rt Rev James Williams Sebaggala halting all church of Uganda founded schools from admitting pregnant and breast feeding learners.

According to the Bishop, teachers Church of Uganda aided schools have the sole purpose of teaching knowledge and discipline ,therefore allowing the above category of learners would create a contradiction.

“Pregnant and breastfeeding girls should not come to schools ,let them sort out their issues at home ,we cannot allow such immoral behaviour.”he said

While announcing the reopening of schools,the Education Minister Janet Kataha Museveni said pregnant girls and breast feeding mothers directed that all learners be allowed to learn regardless of whether they are pregnant or breastfeeding.

John Chrysostom Munyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education said yesterday on the sidelines of a briefing at the Uganda Media Center that the government is opposed to the beliefs of bishop Sebagala. He said the government has instituted a policy that gives a platform to all children to be helped in accessing education to add value to them and the nation.

“Government is saying each child should be helped to go to school. He is a bishop where I happen to stay, I am planning to visit him to exchange ideas, once they understand the policy they will support it,”he said.

Pregnant learners

A United Nations Population Fund UNPFA report indicates that 354,736 teenage pregnancies were reported in 2020 alone while 196,499 in the first six months of 2021.

Six regions with the highest numbers of teenage tregnancies were recorded between 2019 to 2021 are Busoga: the most affected district were Kamuli (6,535) and Mayuge (6,205 teenage pregnancies). North Central: the most affected districts were Mukono (5,535) and Luweero (4,545). Lango: (Oyam 6,449 and Lira 4,697).South Central: (Wakiso 10,439 and Rakai, 2711).West Nile: (Arua 4,705 and Yumbe 3,973). Tooro/ Rwenzori: Kasese (7,319) and Kyenjojo (4,341).

It adds that 67 districts registered increase in teenage pregnancies from 2019 to 2020 Three  districts had increase in teenage pregnancies by over 25 percent from 2019 to 2020.