Pregnant learner ‘expelled’ from Vhembe school

LIMPOPO – The family of a Gr 12 learner at Johannes Mushaathama Secondary School in Tshirolwe in the Nzhelele West Circuit in Vhembe, has expressed outrage following her apparent expulsion from school because of her pregnancy.

According to the learner’s mother, who requested to remain anonymous to protect her daughter’s identity, the learner was instructed by the principal to return home and only return to school after giving birth.

The woman told CV that her daughter had already been at home for two months, resulting in her having missed classes.

“The principal told her she should return next year after her delivery,” she said, adding that other pregnant learners were still attending school, which made the situation more confusing.

“As far as I know, there are currently more than three pregnant learners enrolled at the school. We were never given an official letter barring her from attending, but my daughter informed me she was told not to continue with classes because of her pregnancy,” she said.

Several other parents also voiced their dissatisfaction with the school’s handling of the matter, she added.

The chairperson of the School Governing Body (SGB), Emily Ramadi confirmed that the learner’s mother is employed at the school, and expressed surprise that she took the matter to the media. Ramadi explained that the learner, being in an advanced stage of pregnancy, was considered vulnerable and at risk.

She denied that the school or SGB had formally turned the learner away, citing the Department of Education’s policy which prohibits the exclusion of learners on the grounds of pregnancy.

“Arrangements can be made with the learner to continue her studies from home, as many learners have done during the pandemic. We are not equipped to handle her medical condition should she go into labour at school,” Ramadi said.

The spokesperson for the Department of Education, Mike Maringa, highlighted that no learner should be disadvantaged by school officials on account of pregnancy. He stated that should a learner be turned away, the incident must be reported to the circuit manager immediately. Maringa noted that pregnant learners fall within the category of those advised to stay home on medical grounds, provided they fill out a health questionnaire and appropriate support measures are put in place.

“Expectant learners are expected to attend school as normal until about a month before their due date. They may return after delivery if they are ready, particularly to sit for their examinations,” Maringa said.

He stressed the importance of schools offering support to pregnant learners to avoid educational disadvantage and confirmed that departmental officials would be dispatched to the school to investigate the incident.

He, however, pointed out the limitations faced by the department.

“If the parents insist on the learner being at school, they must assume responsibility, as the department is not equipped with medical personnel to support learners in such conditions. The hiring of someone to assist the learner at school remains the family’s responsibility,” he said.