Educating girls at school on pregnancy
IN A desperate bid to address the alarming rate of pregnancy among school girls, the state has proposed teaching pupils about pregnancy termination and the morning-after pill.
The public has until the end of July to comment on the Basic Education Department’s draft policy on the prevention and management of pupil pregnancy.
This proposed policy ushers in what is internationally known as comprehensive sexuality education (CSE).
“CSE should include counselling on the range of options, including the choice of termination of pregnancy,” according to the department’s draft policy.
Also, this form of education upholds the rights of pupils already pregnant to not be excluded from schools.
“It is important to recognise that, while many pupil pregnancies are likely to have occurred as a result of consensual sex, some learner pregnancies may have resulted from non-consensual sex which is legally defined as rape,” said the draft.
New data showed that an alarming 15 740 schoolgirls, some of whom were in Grades 3, 4 and 5, fell pregnant in 2015.
Unwanted pregnancies robbed girls of a chance to attain life-changing education, said the department.
“It impacts the lives of thousands of young people, often limiting their personal growth, the pursuit of rewarding careers and their ambitions, with incalculable impact on South Africa’s socio-economic systems.”
The department said its proposed policy sought to “ensure the accessible provision of information” on measures such as choice of termination of pregnancy, prevention of pregnancy and counselling and support of pregnant schoolgirls.
The life orientation curriculum will be reviewed to include lessons compliant with CSE.
“Educators may refer pregnant pupils to health clinics or school nurses for information on pregnancy termination,” the department said.
The department will “provide access to contraceptive services through direct linkages with… local clinics”.
“The Department of Health will also provide information on access to emergency contraception (the morning-after pill), the choice of termination of pregnancy and access to these services.”
The SA Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has thrown its weight behind providing education on contraceptives and pregnancy termination in schools.
“At the end of the day it’s just information. We’re not conducting abortion at schools, but providing information,” said Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke.
Maluleke said the alarming rate of pupil pregnancy called for intervention.
“To arrest it, we have to use education to share information. We have to make people aware so that they become rich in terms of what decisions they have to take about their lives.”
But the National Association of School Governing Bodies (NASGB) found the proposals problematic, said its general secretary, Matakanye Matakanye.
“As parents we support teaching sexuality. But we have a problem where we talk about termination and contraceptives,” Matakanye said.
“It’s just that we don’t have power as parents. If we had power, we’d be approaching it by saying you should only have sex when you’re ready,” said Matakanye.
Freedom of Religion SA echoed NASGB’s sentiments. Michael Swain, the organisation’s executive director, said termination should not be presented to pupils as the first option.
“Obviously, it’s important for children to understand pregnancy and how to avoid an unwanted pregnancy,” Swain said.
“What we believe is a negative thing is when abortion is put forward as, well, (that) if you do fall pregnant, then the first option that you have is abortion.
“We believe the first thing that should be taught is to avoid pregnancy, either through contraception teaching or by abstinence.”
“If you do fall pregnant, then abortion is not the only option. There are plenty of opportunities for adoption for example, putting the child for foster care or keeping the child yourself.”