WESTERN CAPE NEWS - According to the DA the number of teenage pregnancies in Western Cape public schools has dropped 740 in the last two years.
According to DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education, Basil Kivedo, the Provincial Department of Education reported that 2 880 learners were pregnant in 2015, but this has decreased to 2 140 in 2017.
Roger Jacobs, head of specialised learner and educator support in Eden District, confirmed that all schools are obliged to report learner pregnancies.
"There seems to be a decrease in reports and pregnancies altogether," he said.
Jacobs says his department has established structures and programmes to educate learners about the implications and responsibility of teenage pregnancy.
"We're equipping learners through expos, rallies and discussions, and we're offering life orientation training to teachers to impart the correct information to learners.
"It has become evident that the focus should be on value education, not only providing facts."
Lurlyn Noble from YfC Options, says that calculating accurate statistics for teenage pregnancy can be rather complex.
The blue graph shows the teenage deliveries compared to the total in red. The number above the blue bar indicates deliveries to mothers aged 10-14 years. Underneath the graph are the figures for the 10-19 year olds and the total deliveries. Figures for Bitou was not received.
"There could be a good number of reasons why it may seem that the rate of teenage pregnancy may be dropping. With abortion being freely accessible, as well as back street abortions, we need to remember that many of those pregnancies are never reported or counted as girls abort without anyone knowing they were pregnant."
Noble encourages pregnant teenagers to get in contact with a counsellor before they make a decision they can never take back.
"Any teenage girl who thinks she may be pregnant or already has had a pregnancy test, is welcome at Options.
"We will place her with a counsellor who will do a confirmatory pregnancy test and will talk with her through the issues she may be facing.
"We love connecting with teenage girls and are passionate about helping them during the pregnancy as well as after the baby is born.
"It truly is an ongoing relationship of support and care," Noble says.
Parents and learners can seek advice and help regarding teenage pregnancy from the Western Cape Education Department's Safe Schools Call Centre on 080 045 4647 or contact YFC Options on 044 874 7417 for counselling and support.
ARTICLE: BRÜMILDA SWARTBOOI, GEORGE HERALD INTERN
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