13 Oct 2016

Palapye District Health Management Team (DHMT) has registered 42 teenage pregnancy cases in the last quarter.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by Palapye MP, Mr Moiseraela Goya, at Khurumela ward on Tuesday (October 11), Palapye DHMT coordinator, Dr Gobusaone Morupisi said Khurumela clinic recorded a total of 16 teenage pregnancy cases in the last quarter.

She said the number could be more than what was recorded since some teenagers might register pregnancies at other clinics including private ones.

She said the statistics were worrisome because these teenagers ended up dropping from school.

For his part, Mr Goya who is also Assistant Minister of Basic Education, raised concern over men who indulged in sexual relationships with young girls.

He said teenagers should focus on their education and refrain from having affairs with elderly men who enticed them with cellphones, clothes and other small items.

Mr Goya urged parents to build good relationships with their children particularly a girl child.

Addressing a kgotla meeting at Khurumela ward in Palapye on Tuesday, Mr Goya said children who are not close to their parents have difficulties to confiding on their parents when they have problems.

He urged parents to close the gap between them and their children and instill on them a sense of discipline and respect as charity begins at home.

Mr Goya further said parents as stakeholders should have active participation in their children’s education. He said teachers alone cannot afford to bring out the best in children when parents fail to be part of their children’s education.

He said education starts with parents and trickles down to teachers.

Furthermore, Mr Goya informed the community about the bills passed in the last parliament sitting, touching on the amendment of the Electoral Act to allow for the use of the Electoral Voting Machine instead of ballot papers.

He said the machine will help do away with long queues, spoilt votes, exhaustion and anxiety during the general elections.

He also stated that a new Palapye hospital will be built under the National Development Plan 11.

Mr Goya noted that streetlights will be installed along Khurumela road under the Economic Stimulus Programme.

He also informed the community about ongoing infrastructure development project at Extension 11, saying that it will allow residents of Palapye to develop their plots on time as government is providing land servicing.

He said through land servicing, residents will have access to water, electricity and roads. ENDS