Condoms at school: yes or no?

LIMPOPO – THE department of basic education has released a draft National Policy on HIV, STI’s and TB, which among other things, proposes access to condoms for learners, teachers, school support personnel and officials in the basic education sector.
Express asked residents whether they thought it was a good idea to distribute condoms among the learners.

Klaas Molokomme said making condoms accessible to learners and giving them sex education would help to reduce the high pregnancy rate in communities.
“Learners must get condoms. People must stop saying this will promote sex because the learners are already engaging in sexual intercourse. This will keep them safe.”

Matjeka Leriba said he supported the idea of making condoms accessible to learners as this would help to prevent teenage pregnancy. “It’s better if the learners know how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases. They should rather be safe than sorry.”

“It’s better to give them to learners because they are falling pregnant and are exposed to HIV and other sexual diseases. Government is doing good work for our children,” said Lebogang Mudubheko.

Mahlatse Phefadi said she believed this would help to decrease the high rate of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
“Learners should be taught about the importance of using condoms and they should know how to use them. We should not blame government for wanting to make condoms accessible to learners because they will benefit a lot as they are already having sexual intercourse.”

Thedimogang Makwela, said: “This is a great idea by the department of basic education and I support it because there is a high rate of teenage pregnancy in communities”.
“Since many children continue to fall pregnant and contract STIs, I think giving them condoms will be better. We cannot be against the department of education,” said Kgabo Nkoana.