Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Master of Education (MEd)

First Supervisor/Advisor

Nicholas Wachira

Second Supervisor/Advisor

Fortidas Bakuza

Department

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Abstract

Teen pregnancy in Kenya is on the increase and is widely attributed to the prolonged closure of schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and widespread exposure to irresponsible sexual behaviours and exploitation. Approximately 13,000 girls dropped out of school in 2021 due to teenage pregnancies. However, since children command the right to education and education is a priority in sustainable development goals, the feminist movement has established ways to ensure teen mothers are educated, in Kenya, there is the rise of schools designated for teen mothers. Therefore, the study sought to examine how these schools are managed this is because it is becoming increasingly necessary to figure out how teen mothers can continue with their education while at the same time nursing their babies in school.

The establishment of schools for teen mothers’ provides them with a second chance at an education. They provide the space for study while the teens care for their children making them peculiar in the educational landscape in Kenya. Invariably, such schools would require school management that is different from the “normal” schools. A case study design and purposive sample were employed to select and examine how such schools are managed. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and analysis of documents yielded qualitative data from the teachers, administrators, teen mothers, caregivers, and matron interviewed.

The findings revealed that the management of teen mothers schools (TMS) provides a safety net to protect teen mothers against risks associated with pregnancy such as stigma, health, and school dropout. The management contextualized their educational programs to ensure teen mothers can nurse their children while at the same time receiving a quality education. They also provided services such as guidance and counselling, re-integrating the girls with their parents and family and provide, and infrastructure and services such as a matron and nurses to care for both the mother and children. Importantly, the TMS sought for donors to support the TM emotionally and advocate for their support within the government circles. Based on these findings the research recommends that strategies to enhance teen mother’s post-partum school return should be enhanced.

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