Pauline Nalova Lyonga, Cameroon’s Minister of Secondary Education, said on Tuesday that she was outraged by reports of girls being dismissed for getting pregnant at school and stressed that the practise must not continue.

On Tuesday Lyonga said in a statement, “This practice is against the government policy of keeping all students in school without discrimination. It is also contrary to the government’s policy of promoting gender equality and preventing the dismissal of vulnerable students. It has caused girls to drop out of school.”

Officials at schools must enable confirmed pregnant students to participate in school activities until the 26th week of pregnancy, after which she may request maternity leave. She also suggested that school administrators allow pregnant students to return to school after giving birth.

Around half of Cameroonian females drop out of school due to pregnancy and childbirth, according to estimates.

[embedpost slug= “/outlander-recap/”]