Reintegration: Fostering Partnerships (Stakeholders Forum)

The WCJF stakeholders’ forum under the theme: Reintegration: Fostering Partnerships is a joint activity between the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sport (MCGES), and the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information (MOEYI), and will focus attention on the findings of two projects that evaluated the implementation of the ‘Policy for the Reintegration of School Aged Mothers into the Formal School System’ (also referred to as the Reintegration Policy).

BACKGROUND
The Reintegration Policy mandates that the places of the adolescent mothers should remain in the
educational system, and enables a smooth transition into the formal school system after the birth
of their babies. The Reintegration Policy was accepted by Cabinet in 2013. To date an approximate two thousand, eight hundred and fifty (2850) adolescent mothers have been reintegrated into the formal school system under the ambits of the Reintegration Policy.

Prior to 2013, it was within the remit of the WCJF to secure places for the adolescent mothers
into the forma school system. The placement exercise was unduly difficult, and time consuming.
Principals accepted the young mothers at their own discretion and desire. The Reintegration was, in fact, a paradigm shift. Notwithstanding, we know only too well, that change is not readily embraced by all.

The Reintegration Policy had a four year implementation life. At least two evaluation projects
were conducted in late 2017. In a timely way, the WCJF proposes to engage the principals in conversations surrounding the findings of these projects. The Principals’ Forum, therefore, has
the following broad objectives:

OBJECTIVES:
The Stakeholders’ Forum will seek to:

1. Examine the findings of the evaluation reports.
2. Determine ways by which any outstanding gaps in the implementation of this Policy may
   be addressed and remedied.
3. Increase public awareness about the Reintegration Policy.
4. Bring to the fore, the challenges that confront the adolescent mothers as they reintegrate
   into the formal school system.