Perceptions Of Education Stakeholders On Education Of School Girls After Pregnancy In Secondary Schools In Tanzania: A Case Of Selected Secondary Schools In Dodoma Region

ABSTRACT

This study explored the perceptions of education stakeholders on education of

school girls after pregnancy in secondary schools in Tanzania, A case of selected

secondary schools in Dodoma region. The study was conducted in Dodoma city and

Chamwino District in Dodoma Region. It involved a total of 80 participants who

were composed of 60 pupils, 6 heads of schools, 6 board members, 4 parents and 4

ward education officers. The study employed: purposive sampling and simple

random sampling to obtain participants. Furthermore, the study employed a cross

sectional survey design through qualitative approach and some sort of triangulation

of data where semi-structured interview, focus group discussions and documentary

review were employed for data collection. Data were analyzed by basing on the

themes and resulted into the emergence of different subthemes. The study findings

revealed that education stakeholders had varied perceptions on the education of

pregnant school girls in secondary schools. On the one hand, retention of these girls

was a sign of indiscipline contempt and on the other hand, expulsion was seen as a

denial of education right to these girls. Likewise the study found different sociocultural

factors influencing the expulsion of pregnant schools girls including

presence of school rules and regulations, avoiding destruction of school reputations

as well as fear of influencing immoral behaviour (early sexual practices) to the rest

of the girls in these schools. Moreover, the study revealed notable effects of the

decision to ban school girl mothers from readmission in their lives such as loss of

education right, humiliation and discrimination, prostitutions and dependants as well

as increase in poverty amongst these girls. Furthermore, different strategies which

were relevant to the needs of pregnant school girls in the community were also

revealed.