The Department of Basic Education is demanding a permanent end to the silent expulsion of pregnant learners. The draft rules propose a stronger academic safety net and mandatory reporting laws, though legal advocates warn that schools are still actively looking for ways to lure teens out of the system.
A positive pregnancy test has historically brought a young girl's high school career to an abrupt end in South Africa – often resulting in silent expulsion, unbearable stigma and permanent exit from the education system.
The Department of Basic Education is trying to change this permanently with new draft rules that propose a stronger academic safety net, mandatory reporting laws involving police and social services, and replacing punitive measures with mandatory, individual support schemes.
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube stressed that South Africa has made significant progress in protecting the rights of pregnant learners.
Keep up with the latest headlines WhatsApp | Linkedin
She said, “We have moved away from a painful past where young girls were expelled or dropped out of school because of pregnancy; these practices contributed to alarmingly high dropout rates. These rules build on that progress and reaffirm our commitment to respect, inclusion and equal opportunity.”
The government gazetted proposed rules on the management of pupil pregnancy in schools on 25 March and are open to the public for comment until 24 April.
Two-tier template for support
The primary goal of these mandates is to ensure that pregnant learners and young mothers can continue their education in a supportive, stigma-free environment…