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School has 17 pregnant pupils

TAKING IT IN THEIR STRIDE: Pupils enter the Barolong High School in Mahikeng, North West, yesterday to write their examinations. Pregnant pupils are accompanied by parents or guardians in case an emergency occurs while they are writing their exams. Photo: Boitumelo Tshehle
TAKING IT IN THEIR STRIDE: Pupils enter the Barolong High School in Mahikeng, North West, yesterday to write their examinations. Pregnant pupils are accompanied by parents or guardians in case an emergency occurs while they are writing their exams. Photo: Boitumelo Tshehle

PARENTS sit under trees in school grounds waiting, ready to be midwives while their heavily pregnant daughters write exams at a high school in Mahikeng, North West.

At least, 17 pupils at the Barolong High School are pregnant - and most of them heavily so. They are now writing final year examinations, and the principal has asked them to bring their parents or legal guardians along in case they go into labour or complications arise.

Yesterday morning, Sowetan saw five heavily pregnant girls enter the school yard, wearing jerseys in sweltering heat. The maximum temperature was 35°C.

Most of the girls were accompanied by parents.

The North West department of education has confirmed that 17 pupils between the ages of 14 and 18 years are pregnant.

Spokeswoman Bayanda Zenzile said: "Three are in Grade 10, nine in Grade 11 and five in Grade 12."

According to a staff member, a pupil has given birth before while at school. She said the pregnancies make their work difficult because they must be understanding when a girl falls asleep during examinations.

Zenzile said the school and the pregnant girls' parents or guardians agreed that they should be there to ensure the pupils' wellbeing.

But the parents had mixed feelings. A parent whose child is in Grade 11 said the exercise is strenuous and is taking a toll on her job. "I had to ask for leave at work ... she is my child and I'm concerned about what might happen, so it is better when I am here," she said.

Another parent said she does not understand why they have to be there because they are not midwives. "I do not have a car, so I can't rush her to the nearest clinic [if she goes into labour]. I do not have a cellphone, so I can't call an ambulance. And I definitely do not know how to help deliver a baby," she said.

After learning about the situation at the school, the North West department of health promised to arrange a meeting with the school principal to find a workable solution.

Spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said part of the solution would be to place an ambulance on standby during the exams and prioritise any call from the school.

Looking at a longer term solution, Lekgethwane said: "The department is involved in the [recently launched] integrated school health programme (ISHP), which aims to promote good health and provide the necessary services to learners in some of the province's neediest schools."

The department of social development, women, children and people with disabilities will also embark on early intervention programmes, including life-skills teaching and HIV-Aids awareness.

Spokesman Vuyisile Ngesi said they would ensure that ISHP reaches Barolong High School.

"Teenage pregnancies have a negative impact on their education. We call on our learners to abstain."

- tshehleb@sowetan.co.za

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This article was first published in the printed newspaper on 21 November 2012

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