The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Social Protection, on Thursday, met to review the Care and Protection of Child Parents Bill
The committee chaired by Thika Town MP, Alice Ng’ang’a met representatives from the State Department for Basic Education and the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, who gave their input to help strengthen the bill.
They also discussed the importance of implementing interventions that safeguard the right to education for learners who drop out of school due to circumstances such as early pregnancies.
The Bill, which is sponsored by Senator Miraj Abdillahi seeks to establish a framework on how expectant girls and child parents can exercise their right to education while ensuring the care and protection of their children.
"Each institution of basic education and training shall develop a management plan for the support of any leaner who falls pregnant while enrolled in the institution," the Bill proposed.
If passed, learning institutions will be required to put in place programmes to prevent teenage pregnancies.
Learning institutions will be required to treat each case of a learner who falls pregnant while in an institution of basic education and training confidentially and professionally.
Learning institutions, if the bill sails through, will have to adopt an inclusive approach that involves the support of the child and parents or guardians of the affected child or children who are at risk of dropping out of school.
The Bill proposes that when putting in place interventions or responses in situations of child dropout, learning institutions should ensure that the educational interests of the child are upheld.
During the meeting the committee emphasised the need to establish care centres to efficiently serve children nationwide.
The legislators insisted framework must ensure adequate government support for these vulnerable groups.
The committee resolved that the Sponsor of the Bill hold a meeting with the two State Departments to deliberate outstanding issues that require harmonisation or amendment.
Once the proposed amendments are finalized, the Committee will reconvene to ensure the necessary provisions have been put in place to protect child parents and secure their right to education across the country.
Senator Gloria Orwoba, who seconded the Bill, underscored the urgency of protecting the rights of child parents.
She noted the widespread stigma faced by these children in schools across the country.
Orwoba added that, while many schools deny child parents access to education, the proposed Bill aims to address this by reinforcing provisions that have not been fully implemented under the Children Act, of 2022.
