Sugar cane plantations fuel teenage pregnancies in Mayuge

KIBUMBA STEVEN

MAYUGE-The high number of teenage girls dropping out of schools in lower classes after getting pregnant has caused worry and consternation in Mayuge district.

Not only do the girls miss out on education, they are also later abandoned by their parents and the men who impregnate them, condemning them to a miserable life

One of the girls (whose identity has been withheld) told us she had a dream of becoming a teacher but this is no more because she dropped out of school.

She said she was sweet talked into a relationship by a boy who exploited her dire situation after her father died. She said she gave in because she needed to have the basics in life.

Another girl told us that she first got pregnant when she was 17 years. Three years later, she now has three kids.

According to Ruth Kibowa, the Mayuge district vice chairperson, says that the general primary school drop out rate for girls and boys in the district stands at 67%.

In addition, 48.5%  of girls in the district deliver when they are below 18 years.

She attributes the high drop out rate to the lure of sugar cane plantations where boys go to earn a living while the girls are lured by the casual labourers who work in these plantations for money.

The teachers at different schools in the area attribute the situation to parents failing to meet their responsibilities especially providing scholastic materials to them forcing them are deceived by boys and men.

Some teachers and parents also said that the high levels of poverty are responsible for this situation.

The district woman member of parliament, Julie Mukoda Zabwe appealed to parents to monitor the movements of their children from home to schools.

She said irresponsibility on the part of some parents had led to indiscipline among the children.