New policy aims to get teen moms back in school
DPI, Guyana, Monday, June 18, 2018
A new policy is in place to ensure teenage mothers have the opportunity to go back to school while receiving support at home and from their community.
The policy manual was handed over today at the National Center for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) by officials from the Ministry of Education and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The policy is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Education and UNICEF. It, however, had the input of other important stakeholders such as the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Protection and faith-based organisations and other agencies.
Addressing the gathering, First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, called on the policy-makers and educators to uphold and protect the rights of children and adolescent mothers who have suffered sexual abuse.
“We have to speak of these things and see it as violence against our children. We also have to… ensure that their rights are recognised and upheld; that our legal and our social protection agencies protect these children with the full majesty of the law… the children come first and it is their future that we have to ensure… That is enshrined in our Constitution.”
According to Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, teenage pregnancy is a complex issue which results from a number of factors. These can be poverty, gender inequality, violence, lack of education and difficult relationships with parents and family members. She said this must not prevent them from acquiring education.
“As the government, our motto is that every child matters. With this policy there will be no need to repeat the past because the future for adolescent mothers in Guyana will become bright because legally the barriers that prevail will be a thing of the past and indeed illegal. Leaving the path open to an education for all,” Minister Henry told officials present.
UNICEF representative to Guyana and Suriname, Sylvie Fouet said Guyana ranks the second highest in teenage pregnancy in Latin America and the Caribbean. She said the creation of the policy is a key milestone and the next step is implementation. She signalled that opening the doors is not sufficient, and communities and stakeholders need to understand and be supportive and knowledgeable of reproductive health in Guyana.
“They need to know that they are protected and they are cared for so all the supportive mechanisms like education, health and justice has to support that and we hope so and we wish the best for Guyanese particularly the youngest,” Fouet said.
The policy has been in the works for approximately one year and sets out clear guidelines to ensure that mothers are not denied the opportunity to re-enter the formal school system, to continue their education. It aims at not only managing the reintegration of the adolescent mothers but it is to also advance the prevention of adolescent pregnancy.
By: Kimberley Ferreira.
Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan.