Formal Education a Multi – sided key in mitigating teenage pregnancy among secondary school children. A case of Munali area, in Lusaka Province, Zambia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the role of education in mitigating teenage pregnancy among secondary school children in Munali area, Lusaka. The study design was a case study in which interviews were conducted and questionnaires were distributed. This study took a total of 40 participants including 20 school teenage girls who happen to be the main characteristic feature for which this study was undertaken, 10 teachers, and 10 heads of department. In response to the educative measures in order to mitigate teenage pregnancy, among the findings the study found that there is need to promote community service activities, and providing education about birth control among the main measures to consider in order mitigate teenage pregnancies. Also, the study found that misinterpretation of children’s rights, lack of awareness and insight regarding the consequences of teenage pregnancy were among the major factors leading to teenage pregnancy. More so, it found that poor collaboration among school departments, lack of public awareness and programs, lack of sensitization workshops and having unqualified educators in terms of counselling both in the communities and schools were some of the challenges and barriers faced thereby leading to high levels of teenage pregnancies. The study recommended that parents should be actively engaged in partnership with the school, educators and social workers. In addition, that there should be collaboration among different school departments should be emphasized in order for better coordination of programmes about sex education and psychosocial; collaboration with healthcare services, schools and communities to engage trained educators who will be able to counsel learners in relation to psychosocial issues, as they are supposed to focus on the education of learners.