Don’t fall in love while still in school, Nanta tells teenagers

KAPIT: Teenagers have been advised not to fall in love while they are still in school.

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi said teenagers should instead be disciplined and focus on their education.

“Focus on your studies seriously while in school to prepare for your future. During school years, your duty is to study very hard to score good results in school and public examinations.

“You can make friends, but don’t fall in love yet with the opposite sex because this is not the time yet,” he said when closing a oneday youth course organised by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development here.

“The government views seriously issues such as teenage pregnancy or drug abuse among the teenagers aged 14 to 18. Government agencies are organising various activities and programmes to raise awareness among the teenagers of staying away from social issues that would

Focus on your studies seriously while in school to prepare for your future. During school years, your duty is to study very hard to score good results in school and public examinations.

adversely affect their future.”

A total of 40 teenagers attended the course.

Nanta’s wife Datin Angelina Celestine Ujang said the focus of the course was on the family institution, values and morals.

“Kapit has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy – 14.1 per cent – in 2016. Sarikei was at 9.1 per cent, Betong – 8.5 per cent, Bintulu – 8 per cent, and Sibu – 7.8 per cent,” she said.

“This is worrisome because teenage pregnancy involves girls below 20 years old and they were unmarried. This involves social issues of education, safety and health, marital status, religion and citizenship, etc.”

Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development

(Seated from fifth left) Nanta and Angelina are seen in a group photo with participants and guests. Kapit District Officer Elvis Didit is seated at fourth left.