BY JOACKIM KULE
Parents in Kasese district have been advised to embrace the idea of taking their girl children for pregnancy tests before they go back to their respective schools next month.
The advice was sounded yesterday by the Kasese District Deputy Council Speaker, Ms Jolly Masika Kateeba while speaking to our reporter in an exclusive interview in Kasese town.
Ms Kateeba, who also doubles as the District Woman Councilor representing Lake Katwe Sub-county and Katwe –K’abatooro Town Council, explained that taking the girl children for pregnancy tests would enable them know their statuses before they begin paying money for school fees and later be told by the school management committee to welcome them back to their homes, arguing that they are pregnant.
According to her, it becomes quite embarrassing for a parent to pay money for school fees and later be asked to pick your child from school after testing positive for pregnancy.
She used the same podium to warn some parents against the alleged habit of forcing their children to drop out of school and initiating early marriages if they are to have educated people in their various communities.
Ms Kateeba appealed to the parents to give an equal educational opportunity to both the girl and boy children as well as packing midday meals to them.
To the teachers, the Deputy Council Speaker called on them to endeavor to report to their respective places of work on time so that they prepare for the new term. ENDS