Uphold schoolgirls’ dignity

The directive by a county commissioner to have pregnancy and female genital mutilation (FGM) tests carried out on girls ahead of yesterday’s reopening of schools is shocking.

If there is an official who is clearly overreaching his mandate, then it is Narok County Commissioner George Natembeya, who reportedly ordered school heads to ensure that all the girls in upper primary and secondary schools are checked at health centres.

First, there is no indication that the Ministry of Education, which is the custodian of policy in this vital sector, had any input in this.

And the question that arises is whether Mr Natembeya even consulted with Education Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and other top ministry officials, including Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, or that he feels he can unilaterally effect such measures.

Though teenage pregnancies are, indeed, a major problem countrywide with the country reeling from the reports of many girls who sat last year’s KCPE and KCSE exams in maternity wards or after delivering their babies, this prescription is certainly not the solution.

This is a complex problem that calls for a more comprehensive approach involving all the stakeholders, including parents and teachers.

Such checks are not only an affront to the girls’ dignity; they are also illegal and uncalled-for.

Schoolgirls must not be subjected to this blanket humiliation just to establish if a few of them might be pregnant.

But even if they were, the directive would still run counter to the official policy, which allows girls who get pregnant to have their babies, wean them and go back to school.

The order is therefore nonsensical and should be rejected and condemned by all.

The administrator owes the children, their parents and teachers and apology.

We must not allow such needless disruptions to our children’s education, not least the girls.