The Asutifi South District Assembly has launched a new program. It will help pregnant teenage girls who are taking their final exams. This is for the Basic Education Certificate Examination, known as the BECE. The program offers specialized counseling. It also provides medical care. Financial assistance is part of the plan. This effort aims to stop girls from leaving school because they are pregnant.
The goal is to ensure that pregnancy does not end a girl's education. The assembly wants to keep students motivated. They hope these girls will go on to Senior High School (SHS) after their babies are born. District Chief Executive Benjamin Assabil Donkor announced the plan. He visited exam centers yesterday, May 6. Many pregnant girls drop out. This happens because of pressure from society. They feel ashamed and alone. Mr. Donkor wants to change this situation.
The assembly is working with Girls-Child Coordinators. These coordinators will offer emotional support. They will also provide academic guidance. Assembly members will identify and register pregnant students. School supervisors will ensure a welcoming environment. This initiative is part of a larger effort. It aims for academic success in the Ahafo Region. Over 12,000 candidates are writing exams there. These exams are held at 50 centers.
The Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, pledged support. Regional Minister Charity Gardiner also made a pledge. They will provide start-up kits to any student who gets good exam results. These results must be single-digit aggregates. The kits include chop boxes and school materials. There will also be money for SHS costs. The DCE stressed a key point. The assembly supports these girls now. But it still wants to stop teenage pregnancies. He urged students to stay focused on their studies. He warned against bad habits after exams.
Data shows that integrated support systems work. They can increase school re-entry for teen mothers by over 50%. This is according to Plan International. A World Bank study offers more good news. Each extra year a girl stays in school boosts her future earnings. This is by 10% to 20%. This benefits areas like Asutifi South. Experts say counseling helps reduce depression. It also eases academic worry. This makes returning to school easier. Asutifi South is setting an example. It treats teenage pregnancy as a problem to manage. It is not a reason to stop learning.