By KT Reporter
Leaders in Pader District have raised a red flag over the high teenage pregnancy rates in the district. Authorities report that on average, six girls under 19 conceive every day, pushing them out of school and jeopardizing their future.
This, they say, is a result of failing to implement the education ordinance that was passed in 2011. The ordinance is aimed at boosting school enrollment and ensuring children stay in school.
According to Justine Ocen, the Pader District Vice Chairperson and Secretary for Health, a total of 2,291 teenage pregnancies were recorded in 2024 alone, averaging 200 per month. He further attributes the crisis to parental neglect.”Children are left to roam freely, and the results are evident. Parents must take responsibility for their children’s upbringing,” he said.
Margaret Alanyo, the District Education Officer, further revealed that the dropout rate in Pader stands at 26.3%, along with worsened teacher shortages and poor learning conditions. She explained that the teacher-pupil ratio stands at 1:90, far exceeding the national standard of 1:55, making it difficult for students to receive quality education.
Alanyo adds that overcrowded classrooms and poor infrastructure, such as a latrine-pupil ratio of 68:1, continue to push learners out of school, and blames parents’ negative attitude towards education.
Alanyo further stated that staffing gaps remain another challenge, with 508 teachers missing across primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions due to a government ban on recruitment caused by wage bill constraints. With a total of 307 teachers recruited recently, the district education department revealed that it remains insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Tito Okello Brilliant, the Pajule Town Council Urban Chairperson, says that moral decay among youths, poverty play a major role in the rising cases of teenage pregnancies. “Many young girls engage in relationships for financial support, leading to early pregnancies and school dropouts,” he said. He also blamed certain social gatherings, including funerals, for exposing students to risky behaviors.
With 2,291 students lost to dropouts last year, there’s a fear that the situation will worsen if urgent measures are not taken to keep children in school. Currently, the district reported that there are over 102,000 learners registered-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
