… the harsh reality of rural girls forced out of school
… UNFPA, MPs hear harrowing testimonies as communities plead for free secondary education
Mathatisi Sebusi
CHILDREN from destitute families are increasingly failing to progress beyond primary school due to their parents’ inability to afford secondary school fees.
The situation is worse in rural areas, where girls who drop out of school are often pushed into early marriages or the sex trade while still underage to become breadwinners for their vulnerable families.
These challenges came to light in Sehonghong, Thaba-Tseka, during a district tour by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and members of the parliamentary Social Cluster Committee last week.
The visit sought to assess issues related to child marriage, early and unintended pregnancies, and sexual and reproductive health rights.
A Sehonghong community member, Rapapa Thieo, said the lack of access to secondary education had fueled several social problems. He noted that out-of-school children often wander aimlessly, become vulnerable to exploitation, and in many cases enter sexual relationships with older men. Some girls marry as young as 13.
As a concerned parent, he appealed to the government to sponsor high school education, saying financial hardships were forcing children to leave school after completing primary education. Mr Thieo explained that while the government funds tertiary education and primary schooling is free and compulsory, secondary education remains a major barrier for poor households. As a result, many children drop out after Grade 7.
“We request the government to sponsor secondary education because after these children fail to continue with their studies, they become unruly. When disciplined, they choose marriage and fall pregnant at a very young age,” Mr Thieo said.
He further urged the government to initiate youth projects that can meaningfully engage young people and provide them with financial empowerment.
“If they are occupied, they will not fall victim to child marriage and early pregnancies. Instead of focusing on men, they will focus on their projects,” he added.
Young people in the area echoed the same concerns, saying poverty pushed them out of school. Some admitted engaging in sexual relationships with older men to obtain money to support their families.
Among them is Mapholoho Bolae, who became pregnant and married at 15. Now 21 and married for five years, she said many girls marry early because of poverty. They also feared facing their parents after becoming pregnant, hence they are left with no option but to opt for marriage.
“Marriage becomes an escape from poverty and the disappointment of not continuing with school. Peer pressure also plays a role, as some girls marry simply because their friends have done the same,” Ms Bolae said.
She noted that early marriage comes with many challenges, including oppression and gender-based violence (GBV) from older husbands who expect complete obedience.
Another young woman, Bonolo Chebe, highlighted the lack of sexual and reproductive health information among girls. She said many become sexually active at 13 but do not understand contraception, leading to unintended pregnancies, while others are married at that age.
“The lack of knowledge on sexual and reproductive health rights is a big problem here. Older men often oppress girls, forcing them into marriage, and deny them these sexual reproductive rights,” Ms Chebe said.
After hearing their concerns, members of the Social Cluster Committee pledged to review laws protecting children from sexual exploitation. They said they would push to raise the legal age of sexual consent from 16 to 18 and strengthen penalties for rape, GBV and sexual harassment.
Committee member Remaketse Sehlabaka emphasized the need for harsher penalties for child marriage and GBV to ensure better protection for children.
UNFPA country representative, Kennedy Mosoti, promised the establishment of a youth resource centre in Sehonghong, where young people will access skills training and vital information.
“The youth will have the opportunity to learn new skills and showcase their talents. Let us work hard together to protect these children from child marriage, early pregnancies, and GBV. With the skills they gain, they may even be able to finance their own education,” Mr Mosoti said.