In the quiet classrooms of Meru County, the sound of pencils scratching on exam papers tells a story far deeper than academics. Among the thousands of students sitting for Kenya’s national examinations this year are nearly 40 teenage mothers, young girls who are refusing to let motherhood end their dreams.
Nearly 40 teen mothers in Meru defy stigma to sit national exams, proving that education can still thrive after motherhood.
For these girls, every page turned in the exam booklet is an act of defiance, against stigma, poverty, and the silence that too often surrounds teenage pregnancy.
At one local health facility, records show over 1,000 deliveries by teenage mothers in a single year, a heart breaking statistic that paints the reality behind the numbers. Each figure represents a child raising another child, and a future almost stolen too soon.
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But amid the struggle, hope has found a way. Teachers, community health workers, and women’s groups across Meru have stepped in to support the girls, offering mentorship, childcare, and a second chance at education. Some schools have set aside safe spaces for young mothers to study, breastfeed, and prepare for exams without shame.
“I want my baby to see that her mother didn’t give up,” said one 17-year-old candidate, balancing her infant on her lap before walking into the exam room. “If I can finish school, she will too.”
Education officials in Meru have lauded the girls’ courage and urged society to replace judgment with support. They say that with proper policies, including access to reproductive health education and stronger protection against child exploitation, fewer girls would face such choices so young.
As the exams continue, these young mothers are not just sitting for tests, they are writing a new story for themselves and their children. One of perseverance, dignity, and the unbreakable belief that it’s never too late to begin again.
