With reference to more than 4 000 schoolgirls who fell pregnant in the Eastern Cape between 1 April and 30 June 2024, what:
(a) total number of the specified girls were under the age of 16:
The department receives statistics on 10-19 year old deliveries in Health Facilities from the Department of Health. Between April and June 2024, 94 deliveries in Health Facilities were from 10-14 year olds whilst 15-19 year old delivered 3 961.
(b) are the details in terms of
(i) age and (ii) social status of the men who impregnated the young girls
There are no details reported at this stage.
(c) total number of cases are classified as statutory rape and (d) has been done to bring perpetrators to book,
The department is dependent on support from the Department of Social Development to investigate and assess the possibility of sexual assault/statutory rape for all learners reported as pregnant. The member is kindly requested to refer the question to the Department of Social Development.
(e) strategies have been put in place to support the most affected schools and
The highest numbers were observed in OR Tambo followed by Alfred Nzo. These are the districts where the department has placed most of our partners, such as Global Fund and PEPFAR support. Policies have been put in place within schools, and DBE is planning to launch the Learner Pregnancy Prevention and Management Campaign - #Africa Educate Her to create awareness on the provision of sexual reproductive health information and services, including contraceptives.
(f) measures of interventions have been developed to assist educators to cope with this situation.
The educators are capacitated on the policy to ensure that they effectively respond to the incidents of pregnancy.