Sex education policy comment extended

THE public has been given more time to comment on changes to school sex education as the Department of Basic Education has extended the input deadline.

The National Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy in Schools, which was gazetted earlier this year, seeks to ensure accessible provision of information on prevention, among others.

The policy allows for contraception and termination of pregnancy services to be made available or accessible to all pupils in the basic education sector, provided or referred by the department through the Integrated School Health Policy and its social sector partners.

It will also allow access and information on male and female condoms, to all pupils aged 12 and above, dependent on their level of inquiry or need.

“Where condoms and information on their use cannot be provided in schools, referral to the department’s HIV, STI and TB Policy and Integrated School Health Policy nurses should ensure access to condoms and requisite information and support services,” the policy states.

The policy says the rate of pupil pregnancy has become a major social, systemic and fiscal challenge not only for the basic education sector, but for national development.

“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 acknowledges its central role in the social sector’s collective response to this challenge and sets out in this policy its goals, guiding principles and policy themes to stabilise and reduce the incidence of learner pregnancy and its adverse effect on the education system,” the policy reads.

In the Western Cape last year 2 130 pupils fell pregnant.

Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said this was down from 2 412 in 2016, and 2 880 in 2015.

“The aim of the policy is to ensure that pregnant learners stay at school and complete their schooling… the WCED works with our schools and other departments such as Health and Social Development to provide appropriate support. Learners can seek advice from our Safe Schools Call Centre on 080 045 4647.”

Those who wish to comment may do so in writing to pregnancypolicy@dbe.gov.za or fax to 012 328 8401.

A name, address, telephone number and e-mail address need to be included. Closing date for comments is July 30. The document is available at www.education.org.za