MoESD develops strategy to curb teenage pregnancy

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Monday May 6, 2013 00:00

Education director for the North-East region, Oupa Masesane, told The Monitor last week that they were determined to combat pregnancy in schools. A Radio Botswana (RB) bulletin recently revealed that girls were dropping out of school due to pregnancy and the ministry was concerned about the situation.

'We have strengthened the PTA structures by forming a regional executive PTA which, we hope, will assist us,' said Masesane.It is anticipated that the mechanism will help with mobilising parents in the region to talk to their children about the importance of education and the dangers of pregnancy whilst still at school.

'The pastoral system in schools, including guidance and counselling are also being actively engaged to curb the dropout situation, ' Masesane added. He revealed that in the region most of dropouts are from senior secondary schools, particularly Mater Spei College and Francistown Senior Secondary School (FSS).'Another school with high numbers of children dropping out due to pregnancy is Montsamaisa Junior Secondary School and it worries us because it interrupts their learning,' he said.

He said 14 students dropped out of school in the first term of this year, which is worrisome given the fact that the year is still a long way to go. Masesane said that students are impregnated mostly not by fellow students but men from the community. 'This is a discipline issue. We are worried that students are not disciplined to know what is right and wrong and end up having sexual relationships with men,  said Masesane.

He said that some parents do not instil discipline in their children as some school children arrive home late in the night and yet no one seems to reprimand them. Masesane said that parents should start to instil discipline in their daughters, talk with them and show them the dangers of indulging in sexual relationships. He said it is time parents should openly discuss sex and dangers associated with it while still schooling.

'Back in the days, these issues were not considered important for discussion in the family. Parents should sit down with their children and teach them about the dangers of engaging in sexual relationships,' he said. Still on the same issue, Masesane said those who have dropped out would be given a second bite at the cherry so that they continue with their education after confinement provided they would be within the age limit. 'Those who will be given a chance at junior secondary school should be 19 years or younger and at senior secondary schools they should be 22 years and younger,' he said.