KCSE Candidate Gives Birth in Dormitory, Cleared to Proceed With Exams
After giving birth on Tuesday night in her dorm room, a Form Four student in Busia has received the all-clear from doctors to resume her exams.
It has been reported that the candidate, who attends school in Budalang’i, is strong enough to proceed with her examinations.
According to sources, the girl’s peers assisted with her dormitory delivery.
The Director of Education for Bunyala sub-county, George Owuoche, stated that the girl was taken to a local hospital for an examination after giving birth before medical personnel cleared her to return to class.
“Before doctors discharged her, she received the same essential medical care as any other woman who has given birth,” Owuoche said over the phone.
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The student is ranked thirty-seventh among her school’s candidates.
The teenager is one of 903,260 candidates taking the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examinations in 2023.
The KCSE examinations commenced on October 23, with the practical papers being the initial subjects that candidates attended.
The national examination will last until November 24, concluding with a practical paper in physics.
Occurrences of candidates giving birth during examination periods are prevalent.
The girl gave birth three days after Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu advised students to avoid relationships that could interfere with their education.
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The CS, supervising the sealing of KCSE exam papers in Busia’s Teso North sub-county, advised students to concentrate on their studies and refrain from engaging in intimate affairs, which can foster expectancy.
Don’t let young boys and elderly men trick you, the CS advised Kolanya Girls National School.
“Before considering starting a family, concentrate on your studies, pass your exams, and secure employment.”
Parents and guardians of females who gave birth during exams ran the risk of arrest, according to the Education Ministry in 2020, as the government cracked down on kangaroo courts that dealt with adolescent pregnancies.
Then, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang stated that due to pregnancy cover-ups, expectant candidates continued to give birth between exam papers.
The PS described the development as a security concern and pledged to work with other government agencies to combat kangaroo courts, which, in his opinion, continue to promote adolescent pregnancy.
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He stated that the ministry will dispatch officers to villages where locals arrange for the release of those responsible for the pregnancy of schoolgirls.
By directive from the Education Ministry, a female student who tests positive for pregnancy must attend school until the time of her delivery, at which point she may be permitted to return home to facilitate the process of giving birth.
These students must be readmitted to their former educational institutions or an institution of their choosing after delivery.
KCSE Candidate Gives Birth in Dormitory, Cleared to Proceed With Exams