900 pupils aged 15 to 19 fall pregnant every three months – Northern Cape education dept
According to the Northern Cape education department, about 900 pupils between the ages of 15 and 19 fall pregnant every three months in the province.
- Northern Cape Education MEC Zolile Monakali has expressed concern about the number of teen pregnancies in the province.
- His department launched a teenage pregnancy campaign last week.
- A researcher has warned against schools' violation of pregnant pupils' rights.
A researcher has warned against schools' violation of pregnant pupils' rights after the Northern Cape education department launched a teenage pregnancy campaign last week.
Nirvana Pillay, a Wits School of Public Health visiting researcher, said schools, families and the wider community play a critical role in determining a young woman's decision.
Support and encouragement could keep them in school, but stigmatisation and exclusion could push them out entirely, Pillay cautioned.
According to Pillay's research, published in the South African Journal of Child Health, the number of births by adolescents aged 10 to 19, increased from 129 223 in 2019 to 139 361 in 2022.
She said the department must ensure that school management representatives and governing bodies are well-versed with policies on pregnant pupils.
According to the Northern Cape education department, about 900 pupils between the ages of 15 and 19 fall pregnant every three months in the province.
MEC Zolile Monakali expressed concern about the impact pregnancies could have on pupils' futures.
"The effects of teenage pregnancies are many and unpleasant. Besides getting pregnant, teenage girls and their children are at risk of being infected with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/Aids. There are health implications associated with early sex and pregnancies, such as obstetric fistula, infant death, maternal death, eclampsia and cervical cancer," Monakali added.
He said teenage pregnancy also caused physical and psychological trauma to the girl since she faced many dilemmas exposed to her by the family and society.
"We need a generation of youth that must focus on their studies, pass Grade 12, complete their studies at institutions of higher education and come back to grow our province's economy."
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