Tanzania: School Pregnancies Worry Isles

Zanzibar — THE Minister for Education and Vocational Training, Mr Ali Juma Shamuhuna, has said that 18 adolescent pregnancies were recorded in Zanzibar schools last year (2012/13).
He has called for concerted efforts to end the problem. Moving a motion in the House of Representatives, he asked the legislators to approve a 115bn/- budget proposal for his ministry. He said that only three teenagers out of 18 agreed to go back to school after giving birth.
"We need to improve awareness to our children so that they do not engage in sex when still young. This is a national challenge," said Shamunuha.
The minister also said that last year 23 cases of adolescent marriages were reported and that all the students (including one male student) were expelled from school, as per section 20 (3) of the education law No 6 of the 1986 (amended).
Debating the budget, Mr Abdallah Juma Abdallah (CUF - Chonga) said the restoration of use of corporal punishment was important in correcting behaviour in schools. "Many children are now sex minded. It is a pity. It is high time strokes are restored in all schools," he said.
However, Mr Makame Mshimba Mbarouk (CCM - Kitope) was quick to oppose the idea, arguing that corporal punishment is not the best solution to the problem. "Use of canes in schools should not be allowed because some teachers use excessive force to injure students," he argued.
The government is now campaigning against the use of corporal punishment in its schools, but some parents such as Abdallah have been unhappy, saying that increasing misbehaviour in schools is due to the fact that children are not beaten.