Overcoming Barriers: How Teen Mothers in Kenya Struggle to Stay in School

By Melisa Mong’ina

Teenage pregnancies pose significant social and educational challenges in Kenya, forcing many young girls to drop out of school to become mothers. 

Many of these teen mothers come from poor backgrounds. Some become pregnant due to circumstances at home, while others experience sexual assault.

Returning to school after childbirth is often difficult for these young mothers due to various barriers that prevent them from fulfilling their dreams and securing a better future for their children. 

These barriers include unclear policies, lack of monitoring systems, stigma from peers and teachers, financial constraints, insufficient parental involvement, and inadequate childcare services.

To address this issue, the Zizi Afrique Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Directorate of Policy, East Africa Community Affairs, and the National Gender and Equality Commission, conducted a study to examine the connection between school re-entry policies and the well-being of children aged 0-3 in Kenya.

Maurice Mutisya, Director of Research at Zizi Afrique Foundation, explains that although Kenya has policies allowing young mothers to return to school, various challenges—such as lack of awareness and an unwelcoming school environment—have hindered their effective implementation. He states that only one school had full knowledge of the re-entry guidelines.

“In this study, we aimed to understand the barriers preventing adolescent girls from returning to school after giving birth. Kenya is one of the few countries with a policy supporting young mothers, yet, of all the schools we visited, only one had the school re-entry guidelines,” Mutisya noted.

He also highlights that most adolescent mothers are unmarried, meaning that fathers are often absent from their children's lives. In many cases, it is the grandfathers who assume caregiving roles while the young mothers attend school.

“Most of these teen mothers are not married. The fathers of their children are often absent, and in many cases, we don’t know the circumstances surrounding the pregnancies or the nature of their relationships. As a result, grandfathers often take on caregiving roles,” he explained.

Mutisya emphasizes the importance of increasing male involvement in caregiving to ensure better developmental outcomes for children.

“I encourage men to take on caregiving roles, not just for their daughters’ children but also for their own, to promote better developmental outcomes,” he urged.

He also stresses the need to raise awareness among caregivers about proper childcare, particularly for children under three years old. He suggests that re-entry guidelines should be more flexible to help young mothers balance their education and responsibilities.

“It’s important to educate caregivers on proper child care for children under three. The school re-entry guidelines for adolescent mothers should be flexible, allowing them to manage their studies alongside their additional responsibilities,” Mutisya said.

To address the challenges of an unwelcoming school environment, Mutisya suggests that schools should provide support systems for adolescent mothers, such as allowing them to bring their children to school or offering childcare services.

“Schools should create a more supportive environment for adolescent mothers. Some school models already allow young mothers to bring their children with them,” he added.

Mutisya also notes that a young mother’s return to school can impact her child’s development, particularly for children aged 0-3, since limited resources and responsibilities may prevent mothers or grandmothers from providing adequate care.

“These young mothers often lack the resources to hire caregivers and may start using daycare services earlier than other parents. Sometimes, the mother or grandmother is too occupied with household duties to fully attend to the child’s needs, which may affect aspects like immunization, nutrition, and proper care,” he explained.

Mary Chepkemoi, Director of Gender at Zizi Afrique Foundation, highlights another challenge: teenage mothers often lack guidance from their parents due to a lack of resources and support systems. She warns that this can contribute to a cycle of gender-based poverty.

“We’re advocating for women to take up space, make decisions, and voice their concerns. However, teenage mothers often lack the right agency and understanding due to their parents’ limited knowledge and resources, which can perpetuate gender-based poverty,” Chepkemoi stated.

She underscores the importance of gender equality and empowering women, especially in marginalized communities like Samburu, where gender, cultural factors, disability, or religious beliefs can further disadvantage young mothers.

“Cultural norms introduce additional challenges. We need to put ourselves in these girls’ shoes, stand up for them, and create opportunities for their voices to be heard,” she added.

Chepkemoi calls for stronger collaboration between civil society and the government to address these systemic issues effectively. She emphasizes that through coordinated efforts, more progress can be made in breaking down the barriers young mothers face.

“At Zizi Afrique, we work closely with the government on systems change, engaging key stakeholders like the National Gender and Equality Commission. With collective efforts, we can address these challenges and improve opportunities for young mothers,” she concluded.