Two teenagers studying in class V in one of the schools in Samtse will soon become parents. The expecting teenage parents, a 13-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, confessed to having consensual and unprotected sex. According to medical reports, the girl is now in her third trimester.
The case was reported to the police by the school administration last week after the girl started showing behavioural and physical changes. The pregnancy test from the nearby BHU confirmed that the girl was pregnant. And the ultrasound reports from the Samtse General Hospital showed that the girl was over 31 weeks pregnant. They are both day scholar students and live in the same village.
According to the police in Samtse, for now, there are no charges against any party as both of them are minors.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women and Children in Samtse conducted a preliminary assessment today and found the children physically and mentally sound. They said they will also help in providing medical and counselling services to the two children.
While the school authority did not comment on the matter, sources say both the children are not in the school at present. The National Commission for Women and Children in Thimphu says the children can continue their studies once they are comfortable. The commission will also relocate the children if they feel they will be stigmatised in their current school. Moreover, the commission says they will provide counselling and support the children financially if needed.
According to the commission, there is no particular law in place at present to deal with such issues.
Passang Dorji, Samtse
Edited by Sonam
