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WENDY MOTHATA |
THE Department of Basic Education has launched “The National Policy on the Prevention and Management of learner pregnancy in schools” in Platinum Village near Rustenburg in the North West.
The department said that the policy is aimed at reducing the increasing number of learner pregnancies at schools.
The policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy in schools was published in 2021.
Last year, the department announced that schools would be required to report to the police where the pregnant learner is under the age of 16.
“The South African Police Services
(SAPS) will be informed to investigate and arrest perpetrators in cases of statutory rape,” said the department.
Department of Basic Education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said that unintended pregnancy affects the lives of many young people, often limiting their personal growth.
“Early and unintended pregnancy affects the lives of many young people, often limiting their personal growth, their pursuit of rewarding careers and their ambitions, with an incalculable impact on South Africa’s socio-economic landscape,” said Mhlanga.
Mhlanga said that care, counselling and support for pregnant learners is critical for retention in schools.
The Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Reginah Mhaule said that it is worrying that the country has recorded 132 000 deliveries amongst girls aged between 10 and 19 for the 2020/2021 financial year.
Mhaule said that the policy will help educate learners about prevention methods.
“Through this policy, we reiterate that to prevent the early and unintended pregnancies, the department will continue to strengthen the provision of comprehensive education, through the curriculum,” said Mhaule.
Director-General of the Department of Basic Education, Hubert Mathanzima Mweli said the school communities need to work together to ensure the implementation of the policy.
“The policy was launched and we hope that it will help in reducing the incidence of learner pregnancy affecting children of school going age. Our school communities need to work together to ensure the implementation of the policy,” said Mweli.
According to the DBE, the policy includes some of the following laws:
– The policy will provide sexual, reproductive health services to enable learners to make informed choices.
– To ensure the return and retention of learners following childbirth into the appropriate grade into the school.– To facilitate access for pregnant learners to ante-natal care through collaboration with the social sector partners and NGOs.– To ensure that schools provide a stigma-free non-discriminatory and non-judgmental environment for pregnant learners and those with babies to support their physical and psychological health and dignity.– Schools will provide a positive and supportive environment where all pregnant learners can access professional advice, information, referrals, treatment, care, counseling and support.– Schools will become health and rights-promoting institutions and act as inclusive centres of learning, care and support, through the integrated School Health Programme.– No educator, school staff member or fellow learner may discriminate against, humiliate or abuse a learner physically, emotionally or psychologically, based on their pregnancy or post-pregnancy status.
–Inside Education