19 May 2013

A total of 17 girls aged between 14 and 19 fell pregnant in secondary schools around Tutume since January this year.

In an interview recently, McConnell Senior Secondary School guidance and counseling teacher, Ms Onalenna Edward said since January to May 2013, 12 students fell pregnant as compared to last year where 24 students dropped out of school for the whole year. Ms Edward said out of the 12, five were doing Form Five, whereas seven were doing Form Four.

Denjebuya Junior Secondary School’s head of department, Ms Pono Mokgadi also stated that three students dropped out of school from January to May last year as compared to four this year.

She said out of the four students, the youngest was 14-years-old and the rest were 17-years-old, adding that two had decided to continue with their studies so that they could write their examinations.

Ms Mokgadi said they carried out workshops in order to sensitise students about the impact of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) on their lives. 

Pandagala Junior Secondary School head, Ms Thandie Motlhagodi said a Form Three girl dropped out of school this year as compared to two the whole of last year.

Ms Motlhagodi said the situation was not so bad in the school because they conducted counseling to help students. ENDS