TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Cases of teenage pregnancies continue to rise with eleven pupils from one school in Ndhiwa district being the latest victims.

Six of the affected girls in Ndere primary school in Kobodo division of the district have already dropped out of school while five others are still learning.

Confirming the incident, the area District Education Officer, Benjamin Mauko said the Ministry of Education, the police and the provincial administration are working with the school's head teacher to ensure those responsible are brought to book.

On his part, the head teacher Moses Adoyo, expressed concern over the trend and urged parents in the district to work more closely with teachers to curb the vice.

"We carried out pregnancy tests and eleven girls tested positive. It is pathetic that that this large number is affected in one school. But we are liaising with the relevant authorities in the district to arrest the suspects," he said.

Mauko said most of the girls were being lured with money by their relatives.

"Parents should take this as their responsibility to ensure their daughters are informed about dangers of irresponsible sexual behaviour. These are very young children, yet they are already pregnant," he added.

The latest teenage pregnancy cases in Ndhiwa comes hot on the heels of another one two months ago, where a 14-year-old girl gave birth to triplets.