Despite pregnancy no longer being an offence punishable with dismissal from school since the Covid-19 pandemic, dropout rates are rising in Katakwi District’s secondary schools because of early pregnancies.
According to data from several secondary schools, two to six girls drop out of each secondary school every year due to early pregnancy.
Statistics collected earlier from Magoro Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Toroma County revealed that six girls would drop out of school in 2025 due to early pregnancy; while at Katakwi High School in Ngariam County, projections indicated that four girls would drop out of school in 2025 due to pregnancy.
Emmanuel Ichila, Head Teacher of Magoro Comprehensive Secondary School, stated that six females became pregnant in 2025. He atributed the increase to the challenges that some of the students face because they are day students and are exposed to the public outside of school.
He emphasizes that many parents refuse to provide basic necessities, including paying school fees, leading girls to give sex in exchange for these essentials.
Betty Amongin, a senior woman teacher at Katakwi High School, reported that in 2025, four students became pregnant and some quit out because of stigma.
Kavin Aanyu, district councilor Magoro and Magoro Town Council, stated that the trend of girls dropping out of school due to pregnancy has resulted in an increase in gender-based violence. She advocates for a peaceful method to address and resolve these concerns.
According to Aanyu, some parents have even abandoned their children at home, emphasizing the importance of parents being aware of their children’s movements and caring parents for their daughters.
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