EDUCATION authorities in Kasenengwa district in Eastern Province have expressed concern over continued reports of school dropouts in various schools in the district.

Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) reports that this was revealed during the 3rd quarter of the District Development Coordinating committee meeting.

In his presentation, Kasenengwa District Education Board Secretary, Mathias Chuunga, disclosed that the district has continued to see an increase in pupils dropping out of school.

Mr Chuunga attributed the situation to teenage pregnancies among other contributing factors.

He revealed that as of third quarter this year, the district has reported 154 cases of teenage pregnancies but of this figure, 68 girls were re-entered after childbirth.

“154 learners dropped out due to pregnancy but statistics are even higher for those that dropped out because of other reasons,” he stated.

Mr Chuunga further indicated that over 1,000 pupils dropped out due to other reasons stating that the situation is worrying.

“Those that dropped out due to other reasons include 602 boys while 621 were girls,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking during the same meeting, Ministry of Labour Chief Productivity and Quality Improvement Officer Yvonne Nawila urged authorities in the department to devise a strategy aimed at reducing challenges like teenage pregnancies.