MEC for Education in Gauteng, Matome Chiloane, is calling for the destigmatisation of sexually active young people.
He says this can be done through sex talks, which include topics on sexuality and protective sex.
Chiloane made the remarks at Qinisweni Secondary School in Ivory Park, where four young learners committed suicide in a space of 10 days.
Three of them died at medical facilities after ingesting poison, whilst a fourth learner was found dead at home.
It is alleged that the girls committed suicide because they were pregnant and one of the boys who also took his own life was a boyfriend to one of the girls.
Chiloane says this incident is a clear indication that there is a stigma issue.
“The learners were probably thinking, how will their parents perceive them, one moment they are children and the next they become parents, they are not ready, how are they going to handle everything? We need to destigmatise that.”
Chiloane also called on parents to come on board and support their kids and allow them to open up freely.
“Unfortunately the times are such a way that parents are now forced to think differently and to approach life differently because of the information these kids have. Back then there was no internet, no social media, so parents could afford to keep certain information away from kids, now you can’t.”
The MEC was joined by Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, who says there’s also a greater problem of negligence within communities.
Motshekga echoed Chiloane’s sentiments on comprehensive sex education.
“We need to intensify our programmes on comprehensive sexuality education and have open discussions with our children about sex and the consequences of early sexual activity.”
“We need to deal with the real issues which are psycho-social challenges, unplanned and unintended pregnancies. Let us look at the root cause of the problem.
“Let us confront the root causes of depression, anxiety, peer pressure, bullying, substance abuse and cyber-bullying within our schools.”
Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza
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