South Africa is known for its alarming statistics, and a number of concerning issues were brought up during Child Protection Week which took place from 29 May to 5 June 2023. The consensus was that more education is needed for young people between the ages of 15 and 24 years old to deal with these challenges.
In Life Orientation classes, pupils are exposed to all these topics, however it seems that it is not enough. Back in 2021, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) vowed to strengthen the sexual education being taught in our schools and in 2022 they stated that they had plans to combat substance abuse as well. Although, despite programmes and interventions, the country’s teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS statistics remain high.
The Need For Improved Sex Education In Schools
Sex is viewed as “taboo” in many cultures and parents are oftentimes uncomfortable broaching the subject to their adolescents. Even if parents are not having these conversations with their children, the likelihood of them coming across sex-related information on their own via their phones or peers is high.
This can contribute to misinformation which does more damage in the long-run.
Instead of having an adult talk them through what they have seen or read about, adolescents often get punished. This makes sex education an even more difficult subject to bring up as the child no longer feels comfortable and may start going behind their parents’ backs rather than asking them questions upfront.
It is important for developing children to have an adult that they feel comfortable discussing difficult and awkward topics with.
The Deputy Minister of the Department of Social Development (DSD), Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, reveals that many pupils between the ages of 11 and 13 say that they know nothing about sex. This raises the question of whether or not the current Life Orientation programme is adequate.
However, providing the necessary information through age-appropriate sex education at our schools, can equip learners with the knowledge needed to have healthy relationships.
Substance Abuse Amongst The Youth
In South Africa, children are exposed to drugs and alcohol at a young age. Many children are introduced to alcohol through their own parents, while others get adults to buy it for them. Shockingly enough, these adults are willing to buy it for them.
Bogopane-Zulu claims that the law of not being allowed to drink before the age of 18 is simply a “slogan” and it is concerning that they have such easy access to these substances. She further reveals that 95% of learners have been exposed to alcohol and/or other substances in their homes.
Abusing drugs and alcohol at an early age can have detrimental effects on childhood development, impacting cognition and learning abilities and resulting in developmental delays and impulse control issues.
This is why it is important for the risks and potential effects of substance abuse to be taught in schools. Many rural schools are not receiving the necessary education on these topics which contributes to these disturbing statistics.
Teenage Pregnancy In South Africa
Earlier this year, statistics revealed that teenage pregnancy in South Africa is on the rise. In 2021, 45,000 births were recorded from mothers who were 17 years old or younger. Even more shocking is that 42 of these births were from mothers aged 11 and 12.
These high teenage pregnancy rates can be largely attributed to the lack of quality education surrounding reproductive health, inadequate access to support services and sexual violence which is prominent in our society.
These challenges can also be a result of fatherlessness as stated by the Department. The lack of a father figure or a child not knowing who their father is can cause a lot of pain for adolescents, specifically in boys.
Are The Current Interventions Enough?
According to the Learner Pregnancy Policy schools are required to report pregnancies to the South African Police Service (SAPS) if the pregnant learner is younger than 16 and was impregnated by a man 18 years and older.
Additionally, the AMAZE programme was introduced with the aim of providing comprehensive sexual education to young students between the ages of 10-15 years old. This is done through education and research-based animated videos. These videos are created with the intention of teaching adolescents that they are experiencing normal processes that are part of growing up.
Recently, South Africa’s HIV/AIDS statistics have decreased, indicating positive results of the current education surrounding sexually transmitted diseases, as well as the interventions that have been implemented.
Bogopane-Zulu states that the Department of Social Development is worried about the effectiveness of the current Life Orientation curriculum and where the Department is investing their money.
