AN EXPLORATION OF HOW GOVERNMENT POLICY ON GIRL PREGNANCY AFFECTS LEARNING IN RURAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OSHIKUNDE CIRCUIT, OHANGWENA REGION

The Namibian education policy addresses prejudice against girls in schools by allowing pregnant girls to finish their education in school up to the time of their delivery or sooner if advised to do so by a doctor or clinic nurse (Indongo, 2020). A teenage girl makes a bad decision when she is coerced - physically, financially, or socially into having sex against her will and eventually becomes pregnant. The father may be a teacher, a "sugar daddy," a schoolboy, or even a cousin (Shaningwa, 2007). In what ways will this affect her future? Teenage pregnancies among schoolgirls are a serious issue in many nations. According to World Health Organisations, (2015), teenage pregnancy has been identified as a barrier to achieving the Millennium Development Goals of gender equality in education and the eradication of gender inequalities in education by the year 2015. The consequences of females quitting school due to pregnancy cannot be understated on a continent where the proverb "when you educate a lady you educate a country" is so accurate (Hubbard, 2009). Increased agricultural output, improved health, decreased fertility, and lower newborn and child death rates are only a few of the societal advantages of educating women. Children born to educated mothers are more likely to start and finish school (Hubbard, 2009). In contrast, children of less educated mothers are less likely to complete their schooling, which means that they have less opportunity to improve their life since they lack the degree of education necessary to successfully compete for employment (Chokomosi, 2018). As a result, concern over enhancing the educational rights of girls who get pregnant is partly motivated by awareness that this will have an impact on the future of their offspring and subsequent generations. Many African nations, including Namibia, have introduced more lenient adolescent pregnancy regulations during the past ten or so years to encourage young moms to continue their education (Nekongo-Nielsen., Mbukusha., & Tjiramba, 2018). Namibia's policy on student pregnancy must now be reviewed in order to take into account any clarifications or enhancements that would make it easier for females to exercise their entitlement to an education. Furthermore, the Namibian government should be applauded for putting in place a measure that permits females to continue attending school even after becoming pregnant. In an effort to stop the number of teenage pregnancies in our schools from rising further, the government should also be commended for ensuring that schools now employ Life Skills instructors who have received the necessary training. However, despite the introduction of the aforementioned regulation, the number of adolescent pregnancies in our schools appears to be rising year (Sheyavali, 2009). According to the regulation, the girl may opt to finish her education at school up to four weeks before her projected due date, as long as this is verified by a medical professional, or she may take a leave of absence starting from an earlier date if the caregiver recommends it for medical reasons. Additionally, if she feels unable or reluctant to attend class while pregnant, she is free to leave. However, four weeks away from school is a long time for the average learner, and it could be challenging for these students to make up on their education (Indongo, 2020).