Why pregnant girls can no longer be expelled from school in the DRC

This directive, signed by Acting Secretary General Alexis Yoka Lali Linangu on 14 July 2025, highlights the importance of inclusive education, which ensures all girls maintain their right to education regardless of pregnancy.

"In accordance with national and international commitments to inclusive education and gender equality, it is imperative to ensure that all girls, including those who are pregnant, have access to and remain within the education system,” the ministry’s circular explicitly states.

It stresses that early pregnancies should not serve as a valid reason for exclusion, noting such actions would worsen societal inequalities.

The circular also outlines that no administrative, academic requirement, or punishment should be imposed due to a student’s pregnancy. This directive comes as a response to alarming dropout rates among schoolgirls caused by pregnancy, with a 2023 UNICEF report indicating that approximately 30% of girls in certain provinces left school early, often due to unforeseen pregnancies.

Effective immediately, the policy applies to both public and private schools throughout the country, urging educational authorities to ensure that it is disseminated widely. This action aligns with international standards and is part of ongoing advocacy aimed at supporting adolescent mothers in their educational pursuits, countering pressure from stigma.

The Ministry has also made it clear that unless a pregnant student chooses to leave school of her own accord, there is no acceptable reason for her exclusion. The directive has been shared with senior education officials and school inspectors across the nation to ensure compliance and the protection of these students' rights.