Question NW1036 to the Minister of Basic Education
18 May 2017 - NW1036
Rabotapi, Mr MW to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether her department provides pupils who have fallen pregnant with (a) academic, (b) financial and/or (c) medical support assistance; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?
Reply:
(a) Academic – Learners who have fallen pregnant are encouraged to remain in school as long as they are able to, until they deliver their babies. They are supported, like all learners, to perform optimally.
(b) Financial – No specific financial assistance is given to pregnant learners. They benefit through other Departmental programmes like the provision of nutritious meals through the National School Nutrition Programme, no-fee paying schools or exemption from fees in fee-paying schools, and scholar transport if they qualify as per the set criteria for these programmes.
c) Medical assistance – The Department of Basic Education collaborates with the Department of Health to make available school health services through itinerant school health teams. In addition, schools are encouraged to establish a relationship with their nearest health facility, to which learners are referred for medical assistance as is needed.