According to the Applicants, because of the high rate of pregnancy amongst school girls; up to sixty-five percent (65%) in some regions, the then Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Minkailu Bah made a public statement which became more of a policy statement directing that all pregnant school girls will not be allowed to be in school with their pregnancies as they serve as negative influence on their peers. The Applicants are saying that the policy by the Respondent barring pregnant school girls from attending school with pregnancy is a violation of the rights of the affected girls to education and amounted to discrimination. The Applicants claim that the voicing of the ban by the Minister “reversed the progress that had been made through the National Teenage Strategy in advocating for education of the girl child including pregnant girls”. They added that “the voicing of the ban officially by the Minister cemented an informal, sporadic practice into government policy effectively formalising the policy and exacerbating the position of pregnant girls, that indeed, victims of the ban claim that they were asked to stop attending school when their pregnancies became visible in line with the Government Policy. Some further claim that they were asked to stop attending school so as not to mingle with other students and influence them”. The Applicants state that attempts were made by the Respondent to provide alternative schools for pregnant girls but the schools are not accessible as main stream schools and subjects offered are limited to only four; mathematics, English language, integrated science and social studies, essentially offering limited education and that it integrated all learners of different ages and academic progress into one classroom.

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