Zimbabwe Government Orders Schools to Readmit Pregnant Learners and Child Marriage Victims

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has directed schools across Zimbabwe to immediately readmit pregnant learners and victims of child marriage as part of efforts to reduce school dropouts and promote inclusive education.

Speaking during a Question-and-Answer session in the National Assembly, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Angeline Gata said schools are now required to implement a zero-exclusion policy to ensure no child is denied access to education because of pregnancy or marriage. The directive is contained in Circular Number 18 of 2024, which compels schools to create safe, accessible and supportive learning environments for all learners, including teenage mothers and married pupils.

“The Ministry’s policy is clear that schools must remain open, accessible, and friendly environments for all children, including those who become pregnant or marry while enrolled,” Gata told Parliament.

The Government says the policy is aimed at protecting vulnerable girls whose education is often interrupted by early pregnancies and illegal child marriages, which remain a major challenge in some communities across Zimbabwe.

According to UNICEF, teenage pregnancies and child marriages continue to contribute significantly to school dropout rates among girls in sub-Saharan Africa. Rights groups have long argued that excluding pregnant learners worsens poverty, inequality and social marginalisation.

Education experts welcomed the move, saying it aligns Zimbabwe with regional and international commitments on children’s rights and access to education. Harare-based education policy analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said allowing pregnant learners to return to school could help break cycles of poverty and dependency.

“When girls are denied education because of pregnancy, society loses future professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders. Reintegrating them into schools is both a social and economic necessity,” she said in comments to local media.

Under the new policy framework, schools have also been instructed to introduce flexible learning conditions for nursing teenage mothers. Deputy Minister Gata said schools should accommodate young mothers by allowing arrangements that enable them to breastfeed and care for their babies while continuing with their studies. Government officials believe the initiative will reduce the number of girls abandoning school due to childcare responsibilities and social stigma.

To support implementation, school Guidance and Counselling Committees have been tasked with conducting regular counselling sessions for affected learners and other pupils. Authorities say the counselling programme is intended to protect pregnant learners and teenage mothers from discrimination, bullying and harmful stereotypes within schools. Child rights activists have previously raised concerns that many pregnant girls in Zimbabwe quietly leave school due to fear of humiliation, community pressure, and restrictive school practices. The Government says the latest measures form part of broader efforts to safeguard every child’s constitutional right to education while promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities in Zimbabwe’s education system.

Zimbabwe schools