Tanzanian president John Magufuli, while addressing the residents of Bagamoyo District during a tour of the region, issued a ban aimed at stopping teen mothers from continuing school.
Magufuli accused some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) who aid teenage mothers to continue their education after having their babies, of being used by foreigners to achieve their aim.
Magufuli was quoted as saying: “There are many things that girls, who are impregnated can do after delivery; they can join VETA (Vocational Education Training Authority centres), they can learn sewing but they can’t go back to school.”
According to AfricaNews, President Magufuli said allowing teen mothers to resume school will encourage other students to toe the same path.
He said: “If we were to allow them back to school, one day we will find all girls who are in Standard One have babies.”
The president may have voiced out because of the pressure his administration has been put under by the NGOs who have been clamouring for teen mothers to be allowed back in classrooms.