Condoms at school – to distribute or not to distribute?
This is the burning topic under debate since the Department of Basic Education released a draft national policy on HIV, STIs and TB for discussion.
Other controversial topics raised are educational initiatives around sexuality and reproductive health as well as provision of HIV testing and counselling.
Backing the draft is Eastern Cape Aids Council head of the secretariat Vuyani Dayile.
According to Dayile, provincial statistics show that the youth contribute more to new HIV infections than any other group, with girls between the ages of 15-24 contributing 60%.
Dayile said there is also a high pregnancy rate among the same group, with the Eastern Cape second highest in the country.
The province recorded 242 pregnancies in 2015, a welcome decline from 528 in 2014.
“If we want results, we will get them in schools. Research shows that the youth in tertiary institutions make better decisions than youth in school. We understand that this is an issue that may make people uncomfortable but it really has to be addressed.”
Dayile explained that the “radical changes” made to the draft policy, as compared to the previous one, can only become possible if principals and parents are on board.
“We think this is ground-breaking but the problem is that many are opposed.”
Principals who spoke to the Saturday Dispatch, however, felt school was not the place for condom distribution.
Queen’s College principal Mike Booi said he was a firm believer in abstinence until marriage.
“I’m old fashioned and I advocate abstinence until marriage. I don’t think it’s appropriate for the youth to be engaging in such activities,” Booi said.
Sizo Butshingi, principal from Isolomzi Senior Secondary School in Centane, said his biggest concern was that children in the younger grades had not yet been exposed to, or started experimenting with sex.
“So if we start giving them condoms, will this not confuse them into thinking that we are saying they can go ahead and have sex if they want?”
But the Department of Basic Education’s Dr Faith Khumalo said the latest research revealed that most children make their sexual debut at 14.
“The issue here is not whether or not children are having sex, we know they are. What we are trying to do is make sure that when our children are ready to take that step they have the knowledge they require, they have the skills to engage in it safely and they have the tools.”
Education lobby group Equal Education’s Eastern Cape head Lumkile Zani said sex was not an education issue but rather a societal one.
“Condoms have no place at school because the sex does not happen at school but within society.”
Speaking at a debate held at the East London International Convention Centre on Tuesday on the issue, Grade 12 pupil Sanelise Nomadwayi said distributing condoms at school would encourage pupils to engage in sex on school premises. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
School condoms a burning issue
This is the burning topic under debate since the Department of Basic Education released a draft national policy on HIV, STIs and TB for discussion.
Other controversial topics raised are educational initiatives around sexuality and reproductive health as well as provision of HIV testing and counselling.
Backing the draft is Eastern Cape Aids Council head of the secretariat Vuyani Dayile.
According to Dayile, provincial statistics show that the youth contribute more to new HIV infections than any other group, with girls between the ages of 15-24 contributing 60%.
Dayile said there is also a high pregnancy rate among the same group, with the Eastern Cape second highest in the country.
The province recorded 242 pregnancies in 2015, a welcome decline from 528 in 2014.
“If we want results, we will get them in schools. Research shows that the youth in tertiary institutions make better decisions than youth in school. We understand that this is an issue that may make people uncomfortable but it really has to be addressed.”
Dayile explained that the “radical changes” made to the draft policy, as compared to the previous one, can only become possible if principals and parents are on board.
“We think this is ground-breaking but the problem is that many are opposed.”
Principals who spoke to the Saturday Dispatch, however, felt school was not the place for condom distribution.
Queen’s College principal Mike Booi said he was a firm believer in abstinence until marriage.
“I’m old fashioned and I advocate abstinence until marriage. I don’t think it’s appropriate for the youth to be engaging in such activities,” Booi said.
Sizo Butshingi, principal from Isolomzi Senior Secondary School in Centane, said his biggest concern was that children in the younger grades had not yet been exposed to, or started experimenting with sex.
“So if we start giving them condoms, will this not confuse them into thinking that we are saying they can go ahead and have sex if they want?”
But the Department of Basic Education’s Dr Faith Khumalo said the latest research revealed that most children make their sexual debut at 14.
“The issue here is not whether or not children are having sex, we know they are. What we are trying to do is make sure that when our children are ready to take that step they have the knowledge they require, they have the skills to engage in it safely and they have the tools.”
Education lobby group Equal Education’s Eastern Cape head Lumkile Zani said sex was not an education issue but rather a societal one.
“Condoms have no place at school because the sex does not happen at school but within society.”
Speaking at a debate held at the East London International Convention Centre on Tuesday on the issue, Grade 12 pupil Sanelise Nomadwayi said distributing condoms at school would encourage pupils to engage in sex on school premises. — zisandan@dispatch.co.za
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