It all began when Verónica Dentone—supervisor of the Council for Early Childhood and Primary Education—and Zózima González—principal of Jean Piaget School (Montevideo)—enrolled in theMaster’s program in Educational Management at Universidad ORT Uruguay.
To earn their degree, they had to conduct a research project and develop an improvement plan. The two analyzed the educational situation and found that dropout rates remain high in secondary school. They also found that teenage pregnancy is one of the causes.
That was the impetus for writing the book *Lights and Shadows... Parents and Children at School*, which was presented on Tuesday, October 3, in the auditorium of the Pocitos Campus of Universidad ORT Uruguay.
González explained the main findings of his research, as well as the primary causes and solutions.
Neglect and its causes
On average, about 37% of Latin American adolescents aged 15 to 19 drop out of school. Nearly half of those who drop out do so before completing primary school.
There can be a variety of reasons. For example, it may be because the young person does not see the value in spending another year in school. Gender, sociocultural background, and previous academic history are some of the factors that play a role.
“In this century, when higher levels of education and knowledge are required every day to remain in the workforce, dropout rates are a problem that must be addressed,” González stated.
According to her, “the scale of school dropout rates is an indicator of the inequality and inefficiency of education systems in meeting the demands.”
The consequences
According to the teacher, the biggest problem facing the country with regard to the situation of pregnant girls and adolescents is “the loss of human and social capital,” since “the vulnerability and poverty experienced by these women will be passed on to their children.”
Social exclusion, repeating a grade, dropping out of school, and a lack of intellectual skills and training needed to enter the job market are some of the potential consequences of teenage pregnancy.
For that reason, she believes that addressing this issue “is a responsibility for all of society.”
Pregnancy and Education
“Girls trade their dolls for children, and most of them don’t know what to do with them; they receive no support from their families or from institutions,” said González.
Furthermore, based on her research, the author concluded that most female students with children had dropped out of school before becoming pregnant.
Although care systems “offer some solutions and support,” the information “does not reach this target audience,” and as a result, “they are unaware of the options available to them.”
In any case, she emphasized “the importance of children to these groups of mothers and the role that an early childhood education center can play in retaining students.” That was one of the key findings of the study, according to González.
She also added that, to ensure their children are cared for and receive an education, “mothers continue to study and enroll in various courses.”
Some solutions
“The education system has made numerous attempts to improve, but these have not been enough to overcome the challenges that continue to arise,” said González.
A smooth dialogue between schools and society, raising awareness—so that the public can actively participate in the process of change—moving away from rigid educational structures, and coordination among health and education stakeholders—to promote educational initiatives aimed at preventing teenage pregnancy—are some of the possible solutions.
Flexibility, in his words, is essential. Whether it involves extending class hours or coordinating between secondary schools and early childhood education institutions so that students “have childcare arrangements in place while they attend class.” In his view, these are “feasible and achievable solutions.”
“The challenge of the 21st century is to recognize diversity and, starting with the inequalities we face, to use education to help every citizen reach the highest possible and desirable level,” he concluded.
Light and shadow... parents and children on their way to school. In González’s view, this is “a committed, respectful, and professional look at a problem that is crying out to be addressed.”