BULAWAYO, Jun. 2 (NewsDay Live) — The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MOPSE), in partnership with the National AIDS Council (NAC), is stepping up efforts to reintegrate teenage mothers and pregnant girls into schools through programmes designed to eliminate stigma and keep learners in the education system.
Teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge across Zimbabwe, prompting authorities to strengthen implementation of the “Circular 18” policy, which allows pregnant learners and young mothers to continue or resume their education without discrimination.
Speaking during a NAC-organised media tour at Mawaba Primary School in Bulawayo, Schools Inspector for Guidance and Counselling Memory Phiri, representing Chief Director of Provincial Education Services Bernard Mazambani, said the initiative seeks to create a safe and supportive environment for affected learners.
“Building on the ‘Not in My Village’ concept, MOPSE introduced the ‘Not in My School’ initiative to combat all forms of violence. Counselling is a key component of our efforts to reintegrate teenage mothers into the classroom,” Phiri said.
NAC Magwegwe District AIDS Coordinator Kenneth Ncube said the programme is critical in ensuring that pregnancy does not end a girl’s education.
“As NAC, we work closely with schools to support the reintegration of teenage mothers so they can continue with their studies and pursue their future goals,” Ncube told NewsDay.
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Meanwhile, NAC Provincial Manager Sinatra Nyathi said the council is expanding HIV prevention programmes using locally generated resources, particularly the AIDS Levy, to ensure the long-term sustainability of Zimbabwe’s health response.
Nyathi said stronger education and health interventions are essential to reducing new HIV infections and supporting vulnerable groups, especially adolescent girls and young women.