POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Department of Education confirmed that a 16-year-old learner gave birth alone in the ablution facility at Molautsi Secondary School in Blood River on Monday.

Both the Gr 10 learner and her newborn are in the care of health professionals, the department added.

The department’s acting spokesperson Mosebjane Kgaffe said the teenager giving birth is despite curriculum and other extra-curricular activities such as advocacy campaigns and comprehensive sexuality education initiated by the department to raise awareness on teenage pregnancy.

“The department can confirm that in cases of incidents like this, there are correct measures in place to provide sufficient care and support to pregnant learners throughout the schooling season,” his statement read.

These include, to appraise the life orientation educator for further support, inform Learner Support Agent sand to inform the teachers on the learner’s status among other measures, Kgaffe explained.

Acknowledging that the incident has taken a toll on staff and learners, the department said it was yet to dispatch a team of experts to the school to provide psycho-social support.

“We hereby appeal to the media and the public in general to grant the learner and her family the necessary privacy during this time,” she concluded.