About 11,3% of babies born last year at Paarl Hospital were born to mothers 19 years of age or younger, many not at the age of consent.
According to Leensie Lötter, spokesperson for Paarl Hospital, the births took place between January 2021 and January 2022, bearing in mind the facility received patients not only from Drakenstein, but also Stellenbosch and the West Coast.
According to Bronagh Hammond, spokesperson for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), there were no stats available per area, such as Drakenstein, specifically.
“However, we did ask our districts to let us know how many reports they’ve received over the past year via their specialised support teams (including social workers). From April 2020 to July 2021, 547 learner pregnancies were reported to our districts.”
Hammond explained the WCED received reports on the number of learners who fell pregnant via the Annual School Survey. Schools report the total number of learner pregnancies for the previous year in the Annual School Survey (ASS) and stats for 2020 will be available only once the 2021 ASS is completed. . 2 208 learners fell pregnant in 2017 (2018 ASS). 2 159 learners fell pregnant in 2018 (2019 ASS). 2 283 learners fell pregnant in 2019 (2020 ASS)
“Our district’s specialised support teams provide psychosocial support to these learners,” Hammond said, “and aim to ensure that they return to school after the delivery of the baby – it is very important for learners to complete their education.
“Learner pregnancy prevention programmes are also rendered from the social work components. Sexual education in schools is focused on prevention and making the right choices.”
She said the importance of providing children with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values regarding their sexuality and the accompanying social responsibilities in especially the learning area, life orientation, cannot be over-emphasised.
“The principle that it is best for learners to abstain from sexual activity should be stressed. Educators emphasising the importance of good moral values should be the backbone of sexual education.”
Hammond explains that the Life Orientation curriculum in schools for every phase deals with sex and sexuality at appropriate levels.
The focus of Health Promotion in Life Orientation in the foundation phase (Grades R to 3) includes personal safety, to enable children to avoid situations where they might be sexually abused.
The curriculum for the intermediate phase (Grades 4 to 6) recognises children are becoming increasingly aware of their sexuality and provides guidance on the associated risks.
Life orientation in Grade 7, at the start of the senior phase (Grades 7 to 9) provides explicit sex education.
Life orientation in the FET phase (Grades 10 to 12) includes a programme called “Life’s Choices”, where learners are encouraged to make appropriate choices regarding their sexuality.
“Many of our interventions have changed the focus on merely providing information on pregnancy prevention to teaching and discussing values with both female and male learners. The focus is rather on intervention strategies to address other wider issues that may impact on teenage pregnancies such as drug abuse, bullying, self-esteem enhancement and decision making skills.”
Some of the programmes include:
. Expos at identified schools where various stakeholders and professionals of the health sector and NGOs engage with learners in small groups. They are provided with information, but are afforded to ask questions or to interact on a one-to-one basis. . School social workers in collaboration with the Health Department undertake specific health programs with learners.. Parental sessions are run to enlighten parents to get involved . In the subject life orientation, sexuality education and life skills education are done with learners from primary school to high school.. A second or third pregnancy may also be prevented by providing relevant information but also to guide and counsel learners. Learners who decide to complete their schooling are supported by the school social workers.. At some of our schools, Care and Support assistants are employed to assist learners with sexuality education and life choices. . School Social Workers do a high-school preparation programme – teenage sexuality and positive life choices are key aspects of this programme. Learners are from Grade 7 and above. . The Family Transformation Centre, for example, has spearheaded a fatherhood programme focusing with boys, male educators as well as fathers. The idea is for male educators and fathers in the community to be good role models for young boys.
Hammond said some of these programmes have been affected by Covid-19.
According to the Western Cape Department of Health, it consistently encourages women of all ages to come forward for information and make use of the contraceptives that are freely available.
“It is important to us that everyone is informed about safe sex and contraception that can be used so you can have a baby when you are ready,” Sandra Maritz spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health in the Cape Winelands said.
“We appeal to parents/guardians to also have conversations with their children at home. Information is shared at Western Cape Health’s facilities, and also by health workers in collaboration with partners at schools. Some of the most recent sessions in the Drakenstein were at schools in the Wellington area.
“Young people are welcome to come to one of our facilities with questions about safe sex and contraception. All visits are confidential and information will not be shared with your parents or guardians.
“Health professionals are well trained to support you with information, and to guide you on which contraceptives will be best for you.
“Contraceptives are free. One example of contraceptives is the morning-after pill, which is taken within five days of having unprotected sex. It is also available for free. You do not need an appointment when you come to a contraceptive clinic.”
Schools that are interested in the awareness project can contact Kay Simpson via email at Kay.Simpson@westerncape.gov.za or on 021 862 4520.
