Teenage pregnancy and the education of the girl child in Uganda: a case study of Kira Village, Kampala District
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Date
2026-06-02
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
The study examined the impact of teenage pregnancy on the education of the girl child in Kira Village. The study was guided by three objectives: to identify the social, economic, and institutional factors contributing to teenage pregnancy among school-going girls; to assess the effects of teenage pregnancy on educational outcomes such as enrolment, attendance, academic performance, and dropout rates; and to propose evidence-based recommendations for improving support systems for affected girls. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample size of 80 respondents was selected from a target population of 100 participants, including adolescent girls, parents, teachers, health workers, police officers, and representatives from community organizations. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews, while analysis involved descriptive statistics and thematic interpretation. The findings revealed that teenage pregnancy in Kira Village is largely influenced by social stigma, poverty, cultural beliefs, inadequate educational support systems, and weak school policies. The study further established that teenage pregnancy negatively affects girls’ education through reduced school enrolment, poor attendance, low academic performance, and increased dropout rates. Many pregnant girls experienced discrimination, financial hardships, and lack of institutional support, which limited their chances of continuing education. The findings also indicated that schools lacked clear re-entry policies and sufficient mechanisms to support adolescent mothers. The study concluded that teenage pregnancy remains a major barrier to the educational attainment of girls in Kira Village and contributes to cycles of poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. The study recommends the establishment of mentorship programs, stronger community awareness campaigns, financial support initiatives, implementation of clear school re-entry policies, and enhanced partnerships among schools, healthcare providers, government institutions, and NGOs. The study further recommends strengthening child protection systems and expanding comprehensive sexuality education to reduce teenage pregnancy and promote educational continuity among girls.
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Undergraduate