Raymond Majongwe, secretary-general of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ), criticized the government’s decision to allow pregnant learners to remain in school, arguing that it undermines discipline.
This decision is part of a set of regulations gazetted by Primary and Secondary Education Minister Torerayi Moyo on Friday, 14 February, through Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025.
Section 12 of the regulations mandates that if a girl becomes pregnant, the school must provide psycho-social support to help her through the process. It reads:
<blockquote>
Where a girl who is a pupil at a school becomes pregnant, the school head — (a) shall inform the parents of the girl as soon as possible if they are not already aware of the pregnancy, (b) shall facilitate psycho-social supportive services to the girl and parent, (c) if the girl and her parents so wish, the girl shall be permitted to remain at school for as long as possible before the delivery of her child, and to return thereafter as soon as her health and the health of her child permit it.
</blockquote>
In an interview with <a href="https://www.theindependent.co.zw/local-news/article/200038581/teachers-reject-maternity-wards-in-schools">The Independent</a>, Majongwe said that allowing pregnant learners in school is akin to rewarding indiscipline. He said:
<blockquote>
While there are some positive takeaways from the recently gazetted education regulations, such as the protection of the girl child and ensuring that the impregnated girl is not the only one punished by banishing her from attending school while the perpetrator is left free, there are some provisions that raise more questions than answers.
A close look at the document gives the impression of making schools ungovernable. The government is creating a situation whereby it will be difficult to discipline learners. It seems to reward indiscipline.
A learner who gets pregnant is ‘rewarded’ by being given special care rather than emphasising discipline.
The issue of allowing pregnant girls in schools defies logic. If a child engages in sex, it is grounds for expulsion from school, but if they get pregnant as a result of that sex, they are to be given psychosocial support and asked to remain in school.
</blockquote>
Majongwe emphasized the need for proper teacher training to effectively address the complexities introduced by the new regulations. He said:
<blockquote>
Will the government train teachers to handle these pregnant learners, because it requires special skills to deal with such delicate cases? Psychosocial support, as mentioned in the document, is no mean task.
The government has heaped another extra load on teachers, who are already grappling with heritage-based curriculum demands such as school-based projects.
Schools will be expected to create “maternity wards” in order to accommodate those, who may develop complications at school as a result of pregnancy.
</blockquote>

Pindula News

Teachers in Zimbabwe are upset with a new rule that lets pregnant girls stay in school. They think it encourages bad behavior. The rule says schools must give support to pregnant girls and let them stay in school if they want. Schools will need to create special areas for girls with complications. Teachers worry about how to handle the new rules and if they have enough training. They say it will make it hard to control students and make schools chaotic. They don't agree with the idea of "maternity wards" in schools.

Teachers Reject "Maternity Wards" In Schools

The government has implemented new regulations that prohibit schoolchildren from visiting teachers’ quarters without a valid reason.
No student will be denied access to education due to non-payment of fees or levies, the absence of a birth certificate, pregnancy, or low academic performance.
These measures are part of a set of regulations gazetted by Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Torerayi Moyo, on Friday, 14 February, through Statutory Instrument 13 of 2025.
The new regulations aim to address societal issues such as drug abuse, sexual harassment, and bullying.
Section 12 stipulates that if a girl becomes pregnant, the school is required to provide psycho-social support to assist her through the process. It reads:
<blockquote>
Where a girl who is a pupil at a school becomes pregnant, the school head — (a) shall inform the parents of the girl as soon as possible if they are not already aware of the pregnancy, (b) shall facilitate psycho-social supportive services to the girl and parent, (c) if the girl and her parents so wish, the girl shall be permitted to remain at school for as long as possible before the delivery of her child, and to return thereafter as soon as her health and the health of her child permit it.
</blockquote>
Section 14 of the regulations prohibits students from visiting teachers’ quarters. It reads:
<blockquote>
14 (1) No pupils must be allowed at the school staff quarters. (2) Every school shall develop guidelines for the pupils to access staff offices and base rooms to ensure safety of the pupils. (3) Subsection (1) shall not apply where the pupil is a child or relative of the teacher or member of staff whose living-quarters he or she enters and resides in.
</blockquote>
Section 18 grants school heads the authority to suspend a student for up to 14 days if they reasonably suspect the student of serious misconduct, allowing time for investigations. It reads:
<blockquote>
No pupil may be suspended from school without first being granted a reasonable opportunity, with the support of his or her parents, to make representations with respect to the proposed suspension.
</blockquote>
Section 20 prohibits the exclusion of students from school due to non-payment of any fees or levies. However, it requires parents and guardians to settle school fees and levies before the start of each new term. Reads the regulations:
<blockquote>
Basic education is compulsory and, if the parents of the pupil cannot afford the tuition fees and levies at a Government school, the State shall assist, within the limits of the resources available to it, in providing that education.
Admission of children into Government schools; No school head shall exclude a child of school-going age from enrolment at a Government school solely on the ground that the child does not have a birth certificate.
No child of school-going age shall be denied admission into basic education in Government schools based on the quality of results he or she possesses.
</blockquote>

The government made new rules for schools: 

- Kids can't go to teachers' rooms unless it's important.
- No one can stop kids from going to school for not paying fees, having no birth certificate, being pregnant, or doing badly in school.
- The rules help with problems like drugs, harassment, and bullying.
- If a girl is pregnant, the school will help her and let her stay in school as long as possible.
- Students can't go to teachers' homes unless they are related or have permission.
- Schools can suspend students for up to 14 days if they do something very wrong.
- Kids can't be kept out of school for not paying fees, but parents should pay fees at the right time.
- All children should be allowed to go to school, even if they don’t have a birth certificate or if their results are not great.

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