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{
    "id": 1440329,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1440329/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 154,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kericho County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Beatrice Kemei",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Existing legislation only provides for the rights of children generally and does not take care of the circumstances unique to child parents. Those laws do not provide how children who fall pregnant are to be handled by the school administration during their pregnancy and also delivery. They also do not provide for ways of ensuring that once those children have given birth, they are re-admitted to school and have support and access to child care facilities, particularly those without anyone to take care of their newborn babies while in school. We also do not have a law providing a framework for the establishment, management and inspection of child care facilities to ensure that they are safe for children. There is, therefore, need to create a framework to protect children in vulnerable households to ensure that they complete their basic education and get a chance for better quality of life. Therefore, this Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for protection of the rights as set out under Article 53(1)(c) and (d) of the Constitution in relation to child parents. It also outlines means through which the expectant child parents can realise their right to education and, at the same time, ensure care and protection of the baby. Additionally, it provides standards for the establishment and regulation of care centres for child parents by county governments. Clauses 4, 5 and 6 of Bill provide for obligations of national and county governments with respect to preventing pregnant children and child parents from dropping out of school. The Government should also provide social assistance to such children. Clause 7 of the Bill provides for preparation of management plans by school administration. The plans are aimed towards reduction of drop-out rates as well as prescribing how pregnant children and child parents will be handled within the school. Clause 8 of the Bill provides for the rights of pregnant and parenting students, including the right to continue with their studies for as long as they are medically capable of being in school. It also provides for the right to be re-admitted to school upon delivery and weaning of the baby. They should also have the right to access adequate pre-natal and ante-natal healthcare and counselling services. Clause 9 of the Bill provides for the role of county governments in reducing drop-out rates as well as ensuring that those who drop out are re-admitted to school. The vulnerable children who are likely to drop out of school should also be catered for so that they remain in school. Clause 10 of the Bill provides for the role of school principal in managing teenage pregnancies in the school. Clause 11 provides for medical examination to confirm that a child is pregnant. The child cannot be compelled to undergo medical examination. And a principal may decline to inform the child’s parents of the pregnancy, in case they are a danger to the child. Clauses 12 and 13 provide for the right of a pregnant child to receive pre-natal and post-natal health care and information. They also have the right to receive counselling and support services. Clause 14 provides for confidentiality when handling the case of any child who is found to be pregnant within a school. Clause 15 provides that where the person responsible for the pregnancy is an adult, the school principal should disclose the same to the county director of education, the council and the nearest police station. If the person is a teacher, an additional report is to be made to the Teachers Service Commission (TSC). Clause 16 provides for re-admission of the child to school once she has given birth and weaned the baby. She should be re-admitted at the same level she was prior to giving birth. Clause 17 provides that the school should not discriminate against the pregnant child while she is in school on account of being pregnant or having given birth. Clause 18 requires parents of the pregnant children to continue with their parental obligations and support to the child. Clause 19 provides for the school’s obligation to counsel the child and re-admit her once the child is born and weaned. The school should also continue supporting the child so that she can continue with her education. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}