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January 26, 2024Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga recently submitted a new policy on managing pregnant students to Parliament after acknowledging that she should have told lawmakers when it was first gazetted.
The policy prohibits expelling pregnant learners and instead mandates support pre- and post-birth. Stats SA data shows 4% of students aged 14-19 fell pregnant from 2018-2022.
Education authorities now want proactive assistance so pregnant learners can be retained in schools. Those over 6 months long must provide medical reports on their status and ability to continue classes.
Students can attend until 8 months pregnant barring complications. Under 16s require police reporting since the partner would be over 16. Educator relationships lead to discipline and charges too.
Stats SA logged over 83,000 births by girls aged 10-17 in 2019/20. The Commission for Gender Equality said many leave school forever after pregnancy, deepening poverty. It urged reporting statutory rapes.
“A significant number do not return to school and are lost to the system. This worsens hardship,” said CGE’s Nthabiseng Sepanya-Mogale.
The policy advocates returning post-pregnancy learners to the same or next grade. Schools will provide contraception access to mitigate pregnancies.
Some stakeholders criticized undermining parental rights and enabling secret abortions. But experts say a collaborative effort is key.
“Strengthening advocacy and implementation involves stakeholders at all levels. This requires a whole society approach,” said Prof. Mary Metcalfe.
As classes resume, the policy’s impact remains unclear. However, promoting education continuity provides hope if awareness spreads and resources mobilize to uplift young mothers.