DBE draft national policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy in schools

The Department of Basic Education invites submissions on the Draft national policy on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy in schools. " This Policy on the Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy has been developed to guide officials, principals, school management teams and educators - who are in effect in loco parentis - in their response to learner pregnancies. The Policy addresses the high rates of pregnancy among learners; the familial and social context within which this occurs; options for reduction of unintended and unwanted pregnancies; management of its pre- and postnatal implications; limitation of associated stigma and discrimination; and, importantly, the retention and re- enrolment of affected learners in school.

This Policy seeks to ensure the accessible provision of information on prevention; choice of termination of pregnancy (CToP); care, counselling and support; frameworks for impact mitigation; and guidelines for systemic management and implementation. In particular, it commits the basic education system and other role players to providing the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) crucial to optimal sexual and reproductive health. The aim of CSE is to ensure that young people gain the knowledge and skills to make conscious, healthy and respectful choices about relationships and sexuality. It provides an age -appropriate, culturally- relevant and right-based approach to sexuality and relationships, which explicitly addresses issues of gender and power, and provides scientifically accurate, practical information in a non - judgemental way."