Education sector response to early and unintended pregnancy: A review of country experiences in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) UNESCO-the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization-is a specialized United Nations agency that was founded on 16 November 1945. UNESCO promotes international cooperation among its 195 Member States and eight Associate Members to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO is the lead agency on sexuality education, developing tools and guidance such as the International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education (2009) which are used by ministries and civil society in the development of sexuality education curricula, policies and implementation support. Technical support is provided at country and regional level to ministries of education and civil society organizations in their efforts to strengthen HIV and health education. The Population Council confronts critical health and development issues-from stopping the spread of HIV to improving reproductive health and ensuring that young people lead full and productive lives. Through biomedical, social science, and public health research in 50 countries, we work with our partners to deliver solutions that lead to more effective policies, programs, and technologies that improve lives around the world. Established in 1952 and headquartered in New York, the Council is a non-governmental, non-profit organization governed by an international board of trustees. www.popcouncil.org

Implementation of the ‘Return to School’ Policy for Teenage Mothers in Kenya: A Rights-Based Perspective

“…Although there wereonly two young mothers (high achievers) in School B, this can be interpreted to mean that a poor academic performer might not be treated as such given the response (above quote) by guidance and counselling teacher in the school. Although the present research did not record the "contamination" narrative where young mothers are feared for promoting bad behaviour among other girls in school, as Birungi et al, (2015) found out in their study, the refusal to (re)admit them was a deprivation of their right to education. The finding that some head teachers consider the academic and extra-curricular abilities of the young mothers to decidewhether or not to readmit them is consistent with that of .…”

“…Despite the provisions of the return to school policy, issues have been raised regarding the implementation in previous studies. For instance, research has shown low levels of awareness of the policy among stakeholders including teachers, school administrators, parents and schoolgirls Birungi et al, 2015), high level of stigmatization and social exclusion within the school environment (Omwancha, 2013; Onyango, Kioli&Nyambedha, 2015), denial of readmission of teenage mother (Birungi et al, 2015), low parental involvement and support (Wekesa, 2014; Sulo, Nyang"au&Chang"ach, 2014; Karimi, 2015), lack of enough resources to implement the policy (Mwenje, 2015), and inconsistencies in terms of implementation (Omwancha, 2013). These studies are examined in detail in the next paragraphs.…”

“…stay on and complete education at both primary and secondary school levels. The "return to school' policy for teenage mothers provides for the teenage mother to be allowed, after delivery, to go back or be given support to gain admission into another secondary school if she feels there are issues of stigma and discrimination (Birungi et al, 2015). The policy also provides that the teenage mothers and their parents should receive counselling (ibid).…”

Accélérer l’adoption de la planification familiale volontaire et fondée sur les droits dans les pays en développement

“…Les familles plus petites permettent aux parents d'investir davantage dans chaque enfant et permettent aux enfants de rester à l'école plus longtemps que les enfants avec de nombreux frères et soeurs (7). La grossesse précoce et non désirée est l'une des principales raisons de décrochage scolaire dans certains pays (11), et la prévention des grossesses précoces aidera les filles à rester à l'école. L'éducation des filles et des femmes est un moteur majeur de la baisse de la fécondité et facilite le développement humain et économique (12).…”

Status of sexual and reproductive health and rights in Zambia: Comprehensive sexuality education and adolescents sexual and reproductive health

“…An analysis of in-school CSE shows that there is a discrepancy between what is stated in CSE as an expected outcome and what is in the policy at the school level. While one of the stated outcomes of CSE is preventing teenage pregnancy, CSE activities for achieving that outcome among girls in school have avoided discussions of the actual use of protection or contraceptives to meet the goal, instead it focuses on abstinence and delaying sexual debut (Birungi 2015). Some of the classes in which CSE has been integrated, such as Home Economics, are optional.…”