Why it’s right to ban pregnant schoolgirls from studies

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If this number of the search results means anything about the topicality of the phrase, it at least implies that we Tanzanians have not yet taken time to study and discuss critically the Convention on the Rights of the Child Articles 28 and 29.

Article 28 says “1. States parties recognise the right of the child to education, and with a view to achieving this right progressively and on the basis of equal opportunity, they shall, in particular: a) Make primary education compulsory and available free to all; (b) Encourage the development of different forms of secondary education, including general and vocational education, make them available and accessible to every child, and take appropriate measures such as the introduction of free education and offering financial assistance in case of need; (c) Make higher education accessible to all on the basis of capacity by every appropriate means; (d) Make educational and vocational information and guidance available and accessible to all children; (e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates.”

Article 29 says “1. States Parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to: (a) The development of the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to their fullest potential; (b) The development of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and for the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations; (c) The development of respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living, the country from which he or she may originate, and for civilizations different from his or her own; (d) The preparation of the child for responsible life in a free society, in the spirit of understanding, peace, tolerance, equality of sexes, and friendship among all peoples, ethnic, national and religious groups and persons of indigenous origin; (e) The development of respect for the natural environment. 2. No part of the present article or article 28 shall be construed so as to interfere with the liberty of individuals and bodies to establish and direct educational institutions, subject always to the observance of the principle set forth in paragraph 1 of the present article and to the requirements that the education given in such institutions shall conform to such minimum standards as may be laid down by the State.”

In the debate, the ‘right to education’ argument is too lopsided. It ignores the other side of the coin, namely every right has a corresponding duty or responsibility. To ignore the responsibility/duty side is to imply that school girls, as well as school boys, should not be taught to discipline themselves (or be disciplined, for that matter) on the road towards responsible freedom in life. Such a lop-sided education (one which ignores or blames responsibility on others, e.g. social environment) will prepare egoistic, selfish or irresponsible citizens. In fact, it will go against the convention’s Article 28 which, among other things, says “State parties shall in particular … (e) Take measures to encourage regular attendance at schools and the reduction of drop-out rates. 2. States parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that school discipline is administered in a manner consistent with the child’s human dignity and in conformity with the present Convention”; as well as Article 29 which, among other things, says that “States parties agree that the education of the child shall be directed to …(c) The development of respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language and values, for the national values of the country in which the child is living,…”.

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Why it’s right to ban pregnant schoolgirls from studies

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