Online Reporter
Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
GOVERNMENT has ordered all school authorities to enforce a zero-exclusion policy that guarantees victims of early pregnancy and child marriages an immediate return to the classroom.
The directive, outlined in Circular Number 18 of 2024, explicitly balances a hardline criminal stance against child abuse with a supportive educational lifeline for its victims.
Speaking during a Question-and-Answer session in the National Assembly recently, Deputy Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Angeline Gata clarified that the policy does not validate or accept early unions, but instead uses formal education as a strategic tool to rescue young girls from exploitation and rebuild their lives.
Responding to questions regarding high dropout rates among minors under 17, Deputy Minister Gata said the State will not allow illegal marriages to permanently rob children of their future.
“The issue of school dropouts, especially among girl children who become pregnant or enter into marriage below the legal age of majority of 18 years, is indeed a national challenge that this Ministry is addressing with the utmost seriousness,” Deputy Minister Gata said.
“It must be emphasised that this is not solely an educational matter but a societal concern, which we should constantly involve the Zimbabwe Republic Police, as marriages involving individuals under the age of 18 constitute statutory rape in terms of our laws.”
She also revealed that the government had directed schools to provide flexible conditions that allow nursing teenage mothers to breastfeed their babies while continuing with their academic programmes.
“The Ministry’s policy is clear that schools must remain open, accessible, and friendly environments for all children, including those who become pregnant or marry while enrolled. Circular Number 18 of 2024 provides detailed guidance on the processes for continuing education for pregnant girls and teenage mothers, including provisions for flexible conditions to enable nursing young mothers to breastfeed their babies while continuing with their academic programmes.
“Guidance and Counselling Committees are mandated to conduct regular counselling sessions for these learners and their peers to protect them from negative stereotyping.”
