By Chipiso Sihle| Most schools in Chipinge district have witnessed a drop in the number of girls who returned to classes when schools opened a few weeks ago due to early marriages

The lockdown period which started in March 2020 has seen many young girls especially school going age dropping out of school.

One of the most affected areas is Shekwa Ward 17 in Chipinge.

Most of the girls got pregnant during the lockdown period whilst others just entered into marriages willingly without being pregnant.

Speaking to the of Shekwa Secondary School Development Committee (SDC) Chairperson, Mr Trust Gezi said when schools opened, the enrolment of girls dropped drastically due to early marriages.

“An observation I noted is that most girls in Shekwa have already dropped out of school because of early marriage, pregnancy and some went to towns to work as maids. COVID 19 has made everything stagnant leading to children misbehaving which has led to some getting pregnant thus leading them into early marriages,” said Gezi.

In another interview with Shekwa Village Health Worker and Sister to Sister club mentor, Mrs Magaa , she concurred with Mr Gezi, revealing that said most of the girls who were in her club got married during the lockdown.

“Tinorwadziwa vana vadoko vari kuroorana veisiya chikora, Corona iyi yakatishaishira vana atichavakoni Its sad that young girls are dropping out of school due to marriage, COVID-19 has not been good to our community,” lamented Mrs Magaa.

One of the Psycho-Social Support teachers at Watershed Secondary school, Mrs Mapako urged communities to join hands with the Child Protection Committee to make up a follow-up on such issues of early marriages so that they come back to school.