By OBAKENG MAJE
A female learner from Batlhaping High School in Taung who was seen in a video confronting a fellow learner and proudly declaring that she is sexually active is in ‘hot water.’ According to our source, the female learner who could not be named because of her age, is ‘facing a disciplinary hearing’ for allegedly putting the school into disrepute.
However, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi who tried to downplay the incident could not shed more light on whether the alleged learner has been suspended or not.
Malindi said there are measures to deal with sexuality matters at the school.
“Our Life Orientation teachers do have sessions in which they integrate these issues within their lessons. Girl learners have sessions with female teachers once a term where at the assembly they are advised on how to handle peer pressure and deal with adolescent behavior and social challenges.
“Once a semester, health officials visit the school to speak with girls on issues of peer pressure and how to handle themselves during poverty stages. The school collaborates with health and social development in addressing learners on the issues of sexuality,” he said.
He further said the psycho-social support officials like Zolile Walter Sikhosana visits the school more often to assist to activate the efficacy of the SBST.
North West Department of Health spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane said they are working hand-in-hand with the Department of Education to address health and sexual education in schools across the province.
“The department’s approach to sexual education is championed by the National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Framework Strategy 2014-2019 and the Integrated School Health Policy.
“The School Health Policy by itself allows the department access to schools for health education on various issues including sexual health. The issue of curriculum needs to be addressed specifically with the Department of Education,” he said.
Lekgethwane further said the Department of Health teaches learners about the risk of being infected by sexual-related diseases like STDs, HIV and teenage pregnancy. He said this is championed through the Schools Health Programme.
Meanwhile, it was reported that 82 000 learners between the ages of 14 and 19 have fallen pregnant in 2017 alone across the country.
Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga said South Africa is pinning its hopes on a social and behaviour change campaign to curb early and unplanned teen pregnancies.
“The campaign is driven by multiple factors which include poverty, lack of information and access to reproductive health services, cultural norms, peer pressure, sexual coercion and abuse.
“Teen pregnancy impacts negatively on educational opportunities and the achievement of adolescents – a situation South Africa can ill afford, given the tough economic climate domestically and abroad,” Motshekga said.
She said in South Africa, it is reported that up to one-third of young girls who fall pregnant drop out of school. Motshekga further said teens that become pregnant are at a greater risk for health complications and face a host of challenges to remaining in school and achieving educational milestones.
“Unfortunately, this scourge disproportionately affects girls from lower socio-economic communities, thus adding on their burden. The factors that influence teen birth rates are dynamic and hotly debated, as is the appropriate response by the education sector to educating teens who become pregnant and teen mothers.
The Guardian 