The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has taken another step forward in minimising teenage pregnancy in schools.
Various high schools in the province with high pregnancy rates will complete an assignment as part of the subject Life Orientation (LO). In the Umzinyathi district, Mabaso High School was the first to take part in this year’s project.
It is not the first time that Project Baby has been implemented in the province.
The project began in 2011, headed by the Department of Health, and it bred positive results in the Umzinyathi District, particularly at Busani High School in Mvoti.
The school indicated a drop in the number of learners falling pregnant while at school after the project. The project is piloted under the ‘My Life, My Future’ campaign.
Grade 8 students are targeted as they suffer vulnerability because of the transition from primary school to high school. They are prone to be easily influenced by other senior students to participate in’acts of irresponsibility’.
60 Pupils received dolls, both girls and boys. They are to take care of them like normal newborn babies. The project will last for two weeks: dolls will then be handed over to the second group.
The aim of this project is to expose learners to the responsibilities they put upon themselves in while in school. This is an eye-opening project in which they will learn and feel the pressures of being a school child and a parent at the same time. This will also help them to understand the importance of attending school and performing well.
Mrs Molefe of the Department of Education said: “The educators and parents have to play a crucial role, as we are relying on them for the success of the project. Parents and teachers are to be firm with the students at all times.” She further explained that her department is trying its best to fight the escalating ill-discipline which is destroying teenagers’ lives.
We hope with this project that they will feel the burden and the seriousness of situation. We want our teenagers to focus on building their futures, and that starts with taking care of their health,” she explained.
After such positive results the department is hoping to include other departments, such as the SAPS and Home Affairs, to also play their parts.
The department is already working arm-in-arm with the Department of Health, as students are also tasked with sending their ‘babies’ to the clinic. Each ‘baby’ costs R200 and includes a blanket, dummy and a nappy.
