The fight against pregnancies in schools is still struggling to bear fruit. For good reason, 1,202 cases of pregnancies were recorded in 1,332 high schools and colleges in Senegal in 2024. The information is from the Group for the Study and Education of Population (GEEP) in its observatory report. This phenomenon of pregnancies in schools constitutes an obstacle to the policy of enrolling and keeping girls in school. It also risks giving a hard time to the First Lady, Marie Khone Faye, who recently committed to keeping girls in school.
School pregnancies are a reality in Senegal. This is evidenced by the observatory report from the Group for the Study and Education of Population (GEEP) which indicates that it has identified 1,202 cases of pregnancies in schools in 2024 across the country among adolescent girls aged between 12 and 19. According to the document, “in 2024, the census of pregnancy cases covered 1,332 public middle secondary establishments out of a total of 1,573 targeted (Cem and high schools on the school map), i.e. a coverage rate of 85% of the school network” . The Academy of Fatick occupies first place with 166 cases of pregnancies, or 13.81. It is followed by that of Ziguinchor with 157 cases, or 13.06%, and that of Sédhiou with 134 cases, or 11.15%. 100 cases of pregnancies were recorded in the Academy of Tambacounda, that of Kolda 91, that of Matam 86 and that of Thiès 83. The department of Dakar occupies the last place with 7 cases.
According to the Union of Free Teachers of Authentic Senegal (SELS/A) which condemns “these alarming figures”, “the GEEP document highlights a worrying situation concerning early pregnancies in schools”. Originally, he pointed out “the lack of sufficient awareness”, “the flaws in social and family support”, “socio-economic precariousness” and “the impact of school conditions”.
It must be said that pregnancies in schools constitute a real threat to the enrollment and retention of girls in school. For most young girls, motherhood means leaving school. After the birth of their children, they never return to school. And for those who are lucky to continue classes after giving birth, they find themselves months or years behind schedule. Faced with this situation, the SELS/A demands “immediate taking of responsibility by the State and local authorities to establish awareness programs on sexual and reproductive health”, “calls for a strengthening of the protection of students in school, in particular through the security of establishments and school routes” and “campaigns for collaboration between teachers, parents and social partners in order to prevent this scourge”.
Even if the issue of school pregnancies remains an unresolved equation, there is no shortage of advocacy and awareness-raising activities against the phenomenon.
The GEEP, for example, has implemented for several years the strategy zero pregnancies at school. In this context, the SELS/A recommends “rreinforce reproductive health education from the middle cycle with the involvement of teachers, NGOs and community leaders”, “set up advice and listening centers in establishments to offer psychological and social support” .
He also proposes “to encourage the empowerment of young girls, in particular through access to school scholarships and the fight against early marriage” but also “to involve the justice system to sanction any adult responsible for a pregnancy in a minor schooled”.
In addition to sometimes being a health issue, school pregnancies are also a development issue. This is why keeping girls in school still remains a big challenge in our education system.
Mariame DJIGO
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