AN ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RE-ENTRY POLICY FOR GIRLS IN SWAZILAND: SCHOOL PRACTICES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT
Journal Title: Problems of Education in the 21st Century - Year 2013, Vol 56, Issue 1
Abstract
Swaziland has no stand-alone re-entry policy. Practices vary from school to school, but generally a pregnant adolescent girl has to drop out of school although those who become pregnant may be allowed to return to write their exams at the same school or they may be advised to find another examination centre. The Swaziland Education and Training Sector Policy of 2011 (EDSEC) explicitly states that ‘every child, irrespective of their life circumstances… has the right to be re-integrated into the same institution that the girl was previously attending.’ The study documents school practices that appear to be informed by ignorance of the provisions of the EDSEC Policy of 2011 and historical developments in national policy; international conventions and declarations the country is signatory to, with missed opportunities. Schools are not coping with the evolving and expanding role in helping children develop. The study concludes that there is need for awareness raising as well as legislation which will compel schools not to expel such pupils but that they are given time to deliver their babies and be allowed to re-join the school. It is thought that institutionalising and publicising the EDSEC policy should lead to more and better reporting, more re-entry, and fewer abortions. There is necessity for awareness development among stakeholders, rigorous and vigorous campaigns and preparedness to tackle strong resistance which has been shown through the practices reported in this study to be hypocritical.
Authors and Affiliations
Qand’elihle G. S. N. Simelane, S’lungile Kindness Thwala, Thuli Mamba
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP448300
- DOI -
- Views 113
- Downloads 0
UNFREEZING SCHOOL REPUTATIONS: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL COGNITIVE FLEXIBILITY
The school often generates different kinds of reputations. These reputations can have negative consequences on pupils’ learning process. Bad reputations make pupils’ efforts invisible, whereas good reputations restrict t...
FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES: A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE ADULT EDUCATION IN SPAIN
Lifelong learning plays an important role due to the actual needs that we have in terms of knowledge-based economy. It provides education both to working and non-working people who want to be part of this developing soci...
EFFECT OF TRACK POSITION ON STUDENTS’ ATTITUDE TOWARDS SCIENCE
Attitude towards science (ATS) is major concern in science education due to its positive correlation with students’ science achievement. However, previous studies showed that students’ ATS is decreasing in many countries...
SENSORY MOTOR INTERACTION IN VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT TO PROMOTE TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS
"So far the school has been structured on the book, on the laborious acquisition of knowledge formulated in verbal language. Nowadays, thanks to the computer and its ability to simulate reality, it is possible to learn m...
RETHINKING OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION AT TEACHING UNIVERSITIES: THE FRAMEWORK DEVELOPMENT
The rapid penetration of information and communication technologies has been the main factor responsible for significant changes in the overall business landscape. Knowledge management (KM) implementation and building of...