The Ministry of Education’s District Guidance and Counselling Coordinator, Matildah Tonga, has reported positive developments in the re-entry of girls in schools in Chadiza District, attributing the improvement to a number of interventions that have been set in place. One of the key measures driving the progress is the free education policy, which, combined with the Keeping Girls in School (KGS) initiative, has significantly boosted the re-entry rates for girls who had previously dropped out of school.
Ms Tonga highlighted the notable increase in the number of girls returning to school, saying, “The numbers continue to fluctuate, but they are significantly adding to the education of our girls. In 2022, 23 girls re-entered school; in 2023, the number increased to 105, and by 2024, we rose to 134.” This steady upward trend reflects the positive impact of the interventions, helping ensure that girls are not left behind in their educational pursuits.
Despite these gains, Ms Tonga acknowledged that challenges such as teenage pregnancies have affected many girls in the district. “Teen pregnancies have been a significant issue over the past few years,” she remarked during a Technical Working Group meeting. In 2022, 81 cases of teen pregnancies were recorded in schools, and the number rose to 91 in 2023. However, in 2024, a positive reduction was noted, with only 37 teen pregnancies reported. This decline suggests that the efforts to address teen pregnancies are beginning to show results, although more work remains to be done.
In addition to teen pregnancies, early marriages have also posed a challenge. Ms Tonga shared that in 2022, there were 17 cases of early marriages among school-age children, a figure that increased to 21 in 2023. However, last year, the district recorded a significant drop, with only four early marriage cases reported. This improvement reflects the district’s ongoing efforts to combat child marriage and ensure that girls remain in school to pursue their education.
The Ministry of Health’s Adolescent Focal Point Person, Mabvuto Nkhuwa, also shed light on efforts to provide family planning services to adolescents in the district. According to Mr Nkhuwa, 387 girls began family planning last year, while 1,350 girls were already on family planning. Additionally, 64 females re-started their family planning use in 2024. While these figures demonstrate progress, Mr Nkhuwa highlighted that access to family planning remains a challenge for many adolescents, urging the public to seek these services to avoid unplanned pregnancies.
In addition to these concerns, Mr Nkhuwa raised alarms over the rise of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the district. Last year, Chadiza recorded 5,177 STI cases among individuals aged 15 and above. The diseases reported included syphilis, urethral discharge diseases, vaginal discharge, and pelvic inflammatory disease, among others. This increase in STIs highlights the need for continued education and intervention to address sexual health and promote safe practices among the youth.
While the district has made significant strides in improving the education and well-being of girls, the ongoing challenges of teen pregnancies, early marriages, and rising STI cases underscore the need for continued efforts from both the government and local communities. The progress made so far, however, provides hope for a brighter future where more girls remain in school, empowered by both education and access to essential health services.