Health minister condemns schoolgirl pregnancy

Minister of Health, Community Development, Gender, Children and the Elderly Ummy Mwalimu has condemned the act of impregnating a Standard Seven pupil.

In a statement released on Friday September 22 by the ministry’s department of communications, the minister says one of the Samanzi Primary School teachers in Samanzi Village in Kalambo District, Rukwa Region, impregnated the pupil, thus causing her to fail to sit for Standard Seven exams this year.

She said the act was a violation of the schoolgirl's basic rights, including the right to protection and development.

However, the minister, asked teachers to stop making love with their pupils as it deprived them of the right to education.

Parents and guardians should fulfill their responsibility of protecting their girl children from early pregnancy.

“I want police officers in Rukwa Region to ensure this incident is investigated and action taken against the culprit,” she said.