THE Department of Basic Education is assessing its policies on condom distribution and considering expanding those policies to allow schools all over South Africa to receive stocks of condoms next year.
A plan to improve the quality of sex education in schools is also being considered.
While this is still only in its beginning stages, the department will draft a new policy taking public comments and opinions into account.
This has come after debates between the departments of both health and education as well as child activists and other associates have caused many delays in distribution.
Members of the Empangeni community, such as religious leaders, argue that allowing high school students access to condoms will promote promiscuity.
However, research conducted by the South African Institute of Race Relations, has found that boys are engaging in sexual activities at a younger age, about 17% before the age of 15.
Even more terrifying is that the HIV/Aids infection among women, aged 15 to 24, is four times higher than among men of the same age group.
There seems to be little knowledge of contraceptives and therefore the HIV/Aids numbers are rising at an alarming rate among young people.
The general consensus is that teenagers are engaging in potentially risky sexual behaviour any way, so they should at least have the option of proper protection.
Some comments
Empangeni teacher, Tarryn Daly, said: ‘I think, based on the levels of sexual activity among teenagers, it’s a necessity. But I don’t think they can be handed out without proper sex education.’
Another Empangeni teacher, Karlien Erasmus, disagreed. ‘I don’t think condoms should be handed out in schools. I think that area belongs to the parents. Clinics already provide condoms. I don’t think condoms belong in a school set-up.’
An Empangeni pupil, Francé Jacobs, said in an interview that two girls at her school were pregnant and that this initiative is a good idea. ‘This is a new generation and everything has changed. Young people are exposed to sex.
Pupil, Ashleigh Bayman, said:, ‘Rather safe than sorry. If you’re the kind of kid that’s going to start young, you’re going to do it whether the school gives out condoms or not.
‘It always has happened and always will happen whether it’s ‘encouraged’ or not. So rather acknowledge this hard truth and educate the youth on safe sex, than ignore it because it ‘shouldn’t happen’. Just because it shouldn’t, doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen.’
Its so Stupid, since the sex education started in the schools there were more pregnancys because they make the kids curious of whats going on down there!Take that RUBISH “education” out of the schools and get back to where PT was running up and down playing soccer or having them do music classes or something!!!ridiculous!!!! Now the goverments wonders why theres so many teen pregnancys!! Same as “I wonder why ive got aids after I had a Shower”!!!!
Condoms at school must not be distributed they will dirty schools and found every where they must be tougtabout them and be encouraged to go to the clinic and fech them