TANZANIA: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has directed Songwe Regional Commissioner Dr Francis Michael and all District Commissioners within the region to search for people accused of impregnating schoolgirls.
“Since January to date this region has recorded 59 cases of school girls who have dropped out of school due to pregnancies, but there are only two cases which have been taken to court. Where are these 57 cases… who is preventing these cases from landing in court … why is the Police Force not taking these people to court,” posed the Premier.
He added: The DCs and RCs should meet with their respective defence and security committees to identify the culprits and make sure that stringent actions are taken against them,” while inspecting the construction of Ileje Girls Secondary School.
Majaliwa who is in the region for a three-day tour said the report concerning pregnancy cases is not comprehensive because the 59 cases are for secondary schools only; it has not included the primary schools.
Elaborating, he warned men who engage in sexual relations with school girls, calling upon them to stop immediately because they ruin the future of the girls… “the law is clear on this offence, its punishment is 30 years in jail, before approaching any girl you should ask yourself how old are you because when you are jailed you will come back while you are old.”
“Stressing on the need for protecting girls, Majaliwa said that: “These are our children we are supposed to take care of so that they can grow and assume various responsibilities in the country… President Samia has invested in them by providing fee free education, we should make sure that they realise their dreams,” he pointed out.
He called upon religious leaders to condemn such behaviour through religious teachings.
Meanwhile, the PM commended Ileje residents for constructing computer lab in the school which accommodate Ordinary level students so as to encourage the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
“I am happy to see that you have special ICT building. This reflects President Samia Suluhu Hassan objectives to spread ICT throughout the country,” he said.
The PM also said that he has been pleased with the Ileje District Council plan of upgrading the school to advanced level. “District Executive Director you should decide on this so as to allow construction of Form Five and Six classrooms to provide more education opportunities for girls in the district. It will also encourage the ordinary level students to study hard.”
