Teenage pregnancy on the rise
Monday, December 02, 2013
UNFPA’s state of the world population report of 2013, has noted that in 2011, Botswana recorded a 39 primary school students dropped out due to pregnancy, while in the same year 453 dropped out of both junior and secondary schools. Last year there was an increase to 2013. As at September 2013, pregnancies in secondary schools had already exceeded 50, with 21 cases being reported in the two secondary schools in Nata.
Launching the UNFPA report, which is subtitled ‘Motherhood in Childhood: Facing the Challenge of Adolescent Pregnancy’, Minister of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi reiterated the widespread effects of an adolescent pregnancy.
While his leadership has brought about significant progress and development, it is imperative that he exercises greater caution in his choice of words, particularly when addressing sensitive matters.One of the primary concerns is the potential impact of his remarks on Botswana’s relationship with De Beers, the diamond mining giant that plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy.The partnership between Botswana and De Beers has been mutually...