Share

Shocking stats: 193 pupils in Grades 3, 4 and 5 fell pregnant

accreditation
Of the thousands of schoolgirls who fell pregnant in the past three years, 193 of these pupils were in Grades 3, 4 and 5.
Of the thousands of schoolgirls who fell pregnant in the past three years, 193 of these pupils were in Grades 3, 4 and 5.

Thousands of school girls fall pregnant over a period of three years – but in a shocking revelation the basic education department has revealed that 193 of these pupils were in Grades 3, 4 and 5.

“This information should shock every South African. Young girls, most under the legal age of 16, are having their futures undermined, likely through being taken advantage of or abused,” DA member of the portfolio committee on basic education, Sonja Boshoff, said.

These numbers were given to the DA in a written reply by the department of basic education, after questions were posed by the DA to the department, pertaining to the total number of learners in primary and secondary schools who fell pregnant in each province between 2014 and 2016.

While the department said that it was in “no position to report on learners who returned to school after pregnancy”, a total of 42 253 pupils from Grades 3 to 12 fell pregnant within the three-year period.

“The DA will urgently submit additional parliamentary questions to find out if these girls are under the age of 16 and if so, whether any charges have been instituted against those responsible, as this would be statutory rape,” Boshoff said.

The DA would also investigate whether the girls have since returned back to school following the birth of their child, what support the school and the basic education department had provided them to catch up on the syllabus, and whether counselling and other emotional support had been provided.

“Keeping children in school should be our major priority if we are to ensure that every person, no matter the circumstances of their birth, are able to live a life they truly value, filled with opportunity. This is something the DA will continue to fight for,” Boshoff said.

In her response to the questions, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said that these issues were of huge concern to the department and “a lot of work” was being done in this area.

“Pregnant learners undermine the department of basic education’s endeavour to ensure that all learners remain in school for the duration of their schooling especially girls so that they can have an opportunity to improve their quality of life,” she said.

Motshekga said schools taught “comprehensive sexuality education”, which was crucial to optimal sexual and reproductive health.

“Its aim is to ensure that young people gain the knowledge and skills to make conscious, healthy and respectful choices about relationships and sexuality. It provides an age-appropriate, culturally-relevant and right-based approach to sexuality and relationships, which explicitly addresses issues of gender and power, and provides scientifically accurate, practical information in a non-judgemental way,” said Motshekga.

She also referred to the national policy for the prevention and management of learner pregnancy.

“Of central importance this policy asserts the Constitutional rights of pregnant learners to continue and complete their basic education without stigma or discrimination. Specifically, it confirms that there should be no exclusion of pregnant learners who must be allowed to remain in school during their pregnancies and return as soon after giving birth as is appropriate for both the learner and her child. For its part, the school is required to accommodate the reasonable needs of the learner to ensure that her right to education is not disrupted or ended by pregnancy or birth.”


Avantika Seeth
Multimedia journalist
City Press
p:+27 11 713 9001
w:www.citypress.co.za  e: avantika.seeth@citypress.co.za
      
 
Sign up for City Press' morning newsletter On a Point of Order here


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you believe that the various planned marches against load shedding will prompt government to bring solutions and resolve the power crisis?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes
21% - 103 votes
No
79% - 389 votes
Vote