Young people speak out on teenage pregnancy in schools
This initiative, put together by the Ekurhuleni HIV/Aids unit, was aimed at addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy in schools
An Ekurhuleni High School public speaking competition was conducted at the Duduza Multi Purpose Centre on Tuesday.
This initiative, put together by the Ekurhuleni HIV/Aids unit, was aimed at addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy in schools, hence various schools from Nigel and surroundings areas attended.
According to Ekurhuleni HIV/Aids coordinator Connie Mabena, annually in February they dedicate the month to celebrating Reproductive Health Month, which is directed by the Department of Health together with the Department of Education.
“Therefore, from February 2 to 9, this initiative is conducted by engaging all Ekurhuleni high schools in a public speaking competition per Customer Care Centre (CCC), to address issues affecting the youth, such as HIV/Aids, STI and teenage pregnancy.
“Is is to target young people and to educate them, as we saw an increase in teenage pregnancy in schools, which in concerning as it affects teaching and learning and causes learners to sometimes fail or drop out.
“This year the learners spoke on the topic of Drastic Measures to be Taken to End Teenage Pregnancies in Schools,” she says.
The three schools that came out top in the competition were N.N Ndebele Secondary School in position three, M.O.M Seboni Secondary School in second position, and Thandi Sibeko High School in first place and will represent all Nigel schools at the mayoral event .
Mabena says that in the finals all number one schools from each CCC will be competing in the mayoral event to be held on February 12 in Germiston at the civic centre.
