Monica Owoko
Abstract
Available research indicates that the number of college students becoming pregnant during their studies is likely to increase given the rising age profile of students joining institutions of higher learning. Provision of healthcare for such students is therefore imperative. A substantive number of higher learning institutions give pregnant students a mandatory maternity leave, for about a year. The student mother may be required to commence the year-long leave immediately after one tests pregnant or one can stay on to the end of a given term. Maternity leave in itself is important because it enables the expectant mother to have sufficient rest and to prepare for the coming baby and after birth, provides bonding time for mother and the baby. However, research has shown that a very long maternity leave can interfere with the academic and career goals of the affected women while a very short one is often associated with postpartum depression. To avoid the long leave many college students resort to abortion, which affect their psychological and physical health; eventually affecting their ability to acquire quality education. It is therefore necessary to develop policies that will allow pregnant students complete their studies within the stipulated time while at the same time not encouraging untimely and unplanned pregnancies among college students.
Key words: Maternity leave, Unplanned Pregnancy, Student Mother
Contact: Monica Owoko, St. Paul’s Kibabii Diploma Teachers College, Kenya
To cite this article: Monica Owoko. (2017). Student Pregnancy and Maternity: Implications for Teacher Training Colleges, Journal of African Studies in Educational Management and Leadership Vol. 8, pp, 37-2017
Available online July 2017
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