The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has threatened to take legal actions against educators in Molautsi Secondary School if it is found that they had impregnated some of the 27 pregnant learners at the school.
This follows a meeting between the party Provincial Leader Jacques Smalle, DA member of the portfolio committee on basic education and Member of Parliament, Sonja Boshoff and the school’s Deputy Principal Joseph Phaleng on Friday. Boshoff referred to media reports alleging that certain learners had become impregnated by educators in exchange for food and money and inquired whether investigations were underway to unearth the truth.
Phaleng said they did not have anything on the table pointing that educators were involved. He stressed that they could not conduct investigations without having something tangible. He said 14 of the 27 pregnant learners referred to were in Grade 12 and that three of them had already given birth and returned to school already. He also indicated that the incidence of pregnancies was less rife last year and added that most pregnant learners were from child headed families while some are orphans.
The DA was not satisfied with Phaleng’s answers and remarked that no measures had been put in place to address the matter. Smalle said they were going to investigate the matter and if it was found that educators were involved, the party would take legal steps against them. He emphasised that his biggest concern was the fact that the school had not make any effort to address the issue regardless of countless media reports and visits from different stakeholders. He indicated that the party would approach the Department of Education to discuss how they were going to support the expectant girls and the male learners who were going to be fathers for the first time.
The department pointed out that while the number of pregnant learners at Molautsi might be high the districts most affected in terms of learner pregnancies are Vhembe and Waterberg. Although the department could not provide the number of learners who are pregnant in these districts, it went on to indicate that communities that are predominantly affected are Bela-Bela, Mookgophong and Modimolle.
Departmental spokesperson Sam Makondo said it was difficult to say how rife the situation was because the numbers fluctuate. “If in a particular year there is a high rate of pregnancies in a school, the number is likely to drop in the next year because of the interventions provided in the school,” he explained.
“MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe visited Molautsi Secondary School last week and urged learners to refrain from sexual activities and focus on their studies. We have scheduled a meeting for Monday at the school to engage the different stakeholders. This problem must never become the norm and all of us must work towards safeguarding the right of children to education,” he stressed.
He added that learner pregnancies are a societal issue and requires the involvement of all stakeholders. Makondo informed that there are many programmes which are aimed to discourage learners to engage in sexual activities which include Girl and Boy Movement, Life skills and HIV/Aids Education Programme among others.
Story & photo: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
