Central SA
Contraceptives introduced in Free State schools to tackle pregnancies─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 11:02 Sun, 16 Mar 2025
The Free State Department of Health plans a family planning programme across the province to address the growing challenge of teenage pregnancies in schools.
On Saturday (15/3), the department was joined at the Kopanong High School in Turflaagte, Bloemfontein, by Education, Soul City, and Lovelife where approximately 600 learners participated in discussions surrounding teenage pregnancy and its consequences.
The event, aimed at empowering learners, saw students divided into groups to explore various aspects of teenage pregnancy. The groups then compiled reports on their findings, which were presented in a plenary session.
‘Scourge of child and teenage pregnancy is just getting out of hand’
“MECs of the Free State provincial government believe that a true measure of society is how it takes care of its most vulnerable people, and the children are part of that,” said Free State Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi.
“As early as February this year, we believed that the scourge of child and teenage pregnancy is just getting out of hand and needs to be curbed.
“Therefore, practical things need to be done to protect the vulnerable children by making sure that we put practical measures that will stop children from getting pregnant unnecessarily and therefore being disturbed from attaining their life goals and completing school.”
Mvambi said before the event, parents were informed and provided with consent forms to ensure their support and involvement in the initiative.
The goal, he explained, was to empower students to make informed decisions and provide them with resources to prevent unintended pregnancies. He said the provincial government recognised the importance of taking proactive measures to tackle the growing crisis of teenage pregnancies in the region.
Mvambi added teenage pregnancy carries significant health risks, including complications that can lead to severe outcomes, such as death or even the development of cervical cancer.
By equipping young people with the knowledge and tools needed for effective family planning, the department aims to help them stay focused on their education and future goals without the interruption of an unintended pregnancy.
He highlighted the importance of working together to safeguard the future of the youth and protect them from social ills that can jeopardise their well-being.
