Pregnant schoolgirls dropping out on the rise

By Chanel September
6 September 2006

One in ten schoolgirls in the Western Cape is reportedly falling pregnant as a reason not to attend school, a daily newspaper has reported.

There has especially been an increase in teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 15 years falling pregnant.

Lynette Martin, a programme manager of Oil, on NGO told the Cape Times that girls may return to school for a few weeks, but usually drop out.

The number of girls falling pregnant is alarming. According to reports at one school there had been seven girls pregnant in one class.

Martin also said there is far too much focus on condomising and called government on deal with the root of the problem.