Sierra Leone scraps ban on pregnant girls from going to school

The government of Sierra Leone has overturned a ban on pregnant girls from attending school.

The Ministry of Education said it was committed to ensuring all children had the right to go to school, regardless of their status.

In December, the West African regional bloc’s court ruled that the ban was unlawful as it infringed on human rights.

The measure was introduced in 2015 when an epidemic of the Ebola disease led to school closures and an increase in teenage pregnancies.

Thousands of girls were affected by the ban which forced them to attend special schools or leave altogether, and forbade them from taking exams.

Around 30% of girls in Sierra Leone become pregnant and 40% are married by the age of 18.