Should condoms be distributed in schools?

Section 27 organisation, which seeks to fight social justice in South Africa, recently submitted a policy proposal to the departments of Basic Education and Health, to distribute condoms in schools.

While Section 27 is under pressure to make these two departments consider distributing condoms at schools, parents and teachers are not happy about it.

Section 27 attorney, Nikki Stein states that it is very important for children to have access to condoms at school.

“It’s important to know that children are having sex, distributing condoms in schools will empower them and ensure their safety,”says Stein.

“There are bad misconceptions that suggest that the idea is bad, however, it is a great idea because we need to treat kids like adults and schools should nonetheless help sexually active pupils to get access to condoms.”

Phuti Mabotja, mother of two children, said schools should not distribute condoms in any way.

“I wouldn’t want my children to be exposed to condoms – it is against our Christian believes,” Mabojta said.

Deputy principal Hank Ferreira from a local school agreed.

“I believe children should not be encouraged to have sex – this initiative gives the wrong message.

“There will be a problem if condoms are distributed, as they will be seen to be promoting sexual activity and, from a Christian point of view, it is wrong,” he shared.

According to the spokesperson for Basic Education Elijah Mhlanga, Section 27 is forcing the department to implement the idea.

“At the moment, the Child Care Act of 1996 doesn’t allow us to distribute condoms in schools.”

“We are going to work together with the Department of Health to review the policy and see if it works, and we are going to allow teachers and school governing bodies to decide if this would be appropriate in school. This will have a negative impact to the community.

“Some cultures might not agree with this, and religious people might think we are promoting promiscuity and also, distributing condoms in schools, might require us to have counselling in schools,” explains Mhlanga.