By Emily M’mangisa
Zomba, June 3, Mana: School Authorities at Matiti Primary School in Zomba Urban are puzzled at the rate of teen pregnancies at the school.
The school registered nine pregnancies this year and it has sent wrong signal to the development of education among girl child.
Matiti School, Deputy Head Teacher, Yahaya Samson said the school was surprised to register nine pregnancies among standard seven learners such that four girls are out of school in teen marriages.
“The pregnancies are going at a worrisome rate. We are talking of nine pregnancies this year alone which was not the case last year with four cases recorded,” he said.
Samson added that Matiti School was leading in Songani Education Zone and the Deputy Head Teacher put the blame on parents, saying learners go wayward at home after classes.
A parent of a standard seven learners, Faith Katoma accused teachers of complacency in handling the learners on the human and academic aspect.
She accused teachers of focusing on academics only and completely turning blind eye to the social being of pupils.
Parents Teachers Association (PTA) Chairperson, Clement Manyamba acknowledged the challenge, adding that poor supervision of wards was the major contributing factor to the current state of affairs.
“Learners seem to be on free range system both at home. Parents are more occupied in personal matters than education of their kids but I can assure you, change is inevitable,” he added
Matiti Primary School has an enrollment of 2,940 learners comprising of 1,457 boys and 1,483 girls with teacher learner ratio of 1:46
Chief Education Officer at Education Office in Zomba, Medson Mbilizi admitted that pregnancy rate at Matiti Primary School was worrisome and said the situation need some collective intervention.
He said his office was putting everything in order to tame the situation before it comes a crisis.
Songani Zone comprises 12 primary schools including Matiti, Mwanje, Namitonso Chikupira, Mpungulira, Songani, Naming’azi, and Mtondo among others.
