adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
MZILIKAZI High School has allegedly recorded an increase in the number of pupils dropping out of school due to pregnancies. This was established by the Makokoba Constituency education committee led by the area’s MP Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube’s aide Cde Nothiwani Dlodlo. Cde Dlodlo recently led a constituency development education committee probe aimed at establishing problems affecting learning institutions in the area.
The committee unearthed alleged corruption in the enrolment of students at United College of Education where ministers and senior government officials are said to be pressuring the institution officials to enrol their preferred candidates. In their investigations, Cde Dlodlo said they also established that Mzilikazi High School, although producing good academic results, was grappling with pregnancy issues.
Cde Dlodlo said in their findings, children who do not live with their parents top the pregnancy statistics. He could not immediately avail the statistics saying he was out of Bulawayo. He said in their investigation, they had established that child-headed families were the worst affected.
“Most of these cases involve children from child- headed families as well as children who live with their grandparents. We are worried about the development as Mzilikazi is doing well academically. Such things will affect the school’s pass rates,” Cde Dlodlo.
Rtd Col Dube yesterday urged parents to take a keen interest in their children’s activities.
He said it is not the school’s responsibility to instil discipline among children while they are outside the school premises. “This is clearly a parental issue. It’s a very difficult matter to handle. Parents must monitor their children’s behaviours. There isn’t much schools can do as this is done while at home,” said Rtd Col Dube.
He said parents must counsel their children who are doing things that may be detrimental to their future.
Rtd Col Dube said the trend was worrying as falling pregnant may result in exclusion from school and contraction of sexually transmitted diseases.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi