Every female student at Islamic University in Uganda [IUIU] is subjected to a compulsory pregnancy test every semester. Due to fear of expulsion from school, it has been reported that most students have resorted to terminating their unborn babies.
“Sometimes you use contraceptives but they don’t work so you end of getting pregnant. The thought of being tested pregnant by the university sends a cold shiver down my spine. I have been there and I don’t wish any girl at IUIU to go through the same pain and guilt of flushing a baby,” a student who spoke on condition of anonymity told Campus bee. She added: “Because you do not want to disappoint your parents, wasting their money when you get expelled, sometimes abortion is the solution but living with the guilt is not a walk in the park.”
Often a time, the girls are caught between a rock and a hard place…..they are left with no option to choose between killing their unborn child and losing their education. “Two of my friends have aborted this semester because they cannot afford to lose a place in the university. The rules in this campus are harsh,” said Carol Atuk, a Mass Communication student at IUIU Main campus, Mbale.
An administrator who allowed commenting on this subject on condition of anonymity said that introduction of pregnancy tests at IUIU is meant to keep students morally upright. “The introduction of pregnancy tests is meant to improve the morals of our students. As a result, fornication has reduced and the number of cases of girls getting pregnant and later dropping out of school is no longer heard of in this university,” he explained.
When asked if immediate expulsion of the pregnant girls isn’t too harsh, he replied; “no comment.”
Phillip Isabirye, a Law student blames the girls for the carelessness during coitus. “By the time two consenting adults agree on copulation, it is common knowledge that they have to use protection to avoid STIs and pregnancies since they are not yet ready to receive a baby. The university did good to introduce the pregnancy tests,” Isabirye told this website.
Let us know what you think in out comment box below…do you support IUIU’s policy of expelling any female student who get pregnant before completing studies?
