Teenage mothers in Amuru district will be free to come with babysitters to school once their studies resume. The move is aimed at giving ample time and space for the learners to concentrate in class.
At least 3,200 girls were impregnated in Amuru district during the nearly two-year closure of all learning institutions as part of the COVID-19 containment measures. It has 41,163 learners as per the 2020 enrolment.
Apollo Okello, the Amuru District Education Secretary told URN on Saturday that the district has no specific provision for attending to pregnant or learners with babies but has opened up to allow them to come with people to attend to their babies.
Okello says that they have also advised parents and guardians to take care of babies belonging to teenage mothers while they are at school. On the reporting of teachers and vaccination, Okello disclosed that a comprehensive report indicates that 98% out of the over 900 teachers have already been vaccinated.
He says that 70% of them had by Wednesday this week reported to their respective schools ready for the reopening. Joyce Lanyero, the Amuru District Education Officer noted that they have embarked on a campaign dubbed ‘’Go Back to School’’ to rally all children eligible for studies to start school on Monday 10th as announced by the education ministry.
The authorities however said that they are still uncertain of the exact numbers of female learners who might have given birth during the period. Alex William Latim, the Agwayugi Primary School Headteacher estimates that more than six female learners from his school were reportedly married off during the lockdown period.
