07 Aug 2016

Kgatleng education regional director (operations), Mr Matlhogonolo Mokakapadi says teenage pregnancy is still a national challenge.

Mr Mokakapadi said in an interview that any dropout of students whether through absconding, ill-health, child labour, farm working and delinquency or due to pregnancy was worrisome.

 He said according to Education for All (EFA), every child was entitled to education regardless of his or her socio-economic status. He said statistics showed that in Kgatleng region in 2015 only, 15 students dropped out of school due to pregnancy, 10 of those students were from Molefi Senior Secondary School, while five were from junior secondary schools.

Mr Mokakapadi said this year since January, 14 students had already dropped out of school due to pregnancy as of end of June, adding that seven of the students were from Molefi senior secondary school while another seven were from junior secondary schools bringing the total pregnancies to 14.

The director said students dropped out of school for different reasons such as ill health, desertion and pregnancy adding that there were 17 students who absconded from school, one for ill health and 14 due to pregnancy.

He also stated that the management  was trying to address the challenges through programmes such as Peer Approach Counselling by Teens, guidance and counselling programme, Parent Teachers Association, spiritual up-liftment and moral teachings through Scripture Union, invitation of pastors to school and also boot camps.

Moreover, he mentioned that despite all these interventions, teenage pregnancy still persisted due to, among others, poor parenting skills, child headed families, poverty and lack of parental involvement.Mr Mokakapadi said most cases were still with social workers and the police. He also emphasised that there was need for more parental involvement and parenting skills workshops. ENDS