KWEKWE – A 15-year-old Form Three student at Loreto High School in Kwekwe District Tuesday gave birth to a live baby in front of her stunned teachers and schoolmates who helped her deliver her offspring.
The minor, who was not named on ethical reasons, reportedly went into labour and gave birth at the school’s hostels.
The school head, Phillip Mapiravana confirmed the incident.
“Yes, it is true, the girl was doing Form Three at our school. She is safe and we have since notified her parents in Gweru. That is all I can say for now,” he said.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro said arrangements have been made for the child to receive post-natal care.
“Yes, it is true that one of our learners gave birth in the hostels and is she is presently receiving post-natal attention. The school led by the health coordinator, who is a trained teacher, assisted her in giving birth,” he said.
Ndoro said the ministry has since deployed learner welfare officials to assist the learners.
“We have also deployed our learner welfare department to provide socio-psycho support to the pupil as well as other pupils at the school,” he said.
However, little is known about the man who impregnated her and circumstances surrounding how she conceived when she was still in her Form Twos.
It is illegal under Zimbabwean laws to sleep with minors who are below the age of 18.
The girl is most likely to continue with her education at the school if she wishes to as the amended Education Act makes it illegal to expel pupils who fall pregnant.
The incident follows rampant cases of girls falling pregnant in their early teens amid signs society needs to do more to end the scourge of teen motherhood.
Opinion however remains divided among locals on whether school going girls who fall pregnant out of consensual sex deserve to be readmitted back into school or should be expelled as a deterrent action among other learners.
