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Government is pressing ahead with plans to distribute condoms to schools in an effort to combat teen pregnancy and HIV transmission amongst pupils, reports News24. Supporters have welcomed what they say is a positive move in protecting school kids, but others have suggested that the distribution of condoms to schools could encourage pupils to engage in risk-taking sexual activities.
Scary stats
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi insists the distribution of condoms is beneficial in South Africa which has, according to the report, “a population of around 50 million [and] recorded about 94 000 unplanned teen pregnancies in schools last year, of which 77 000 ended in abortions. In addition, one in every 11 people is infected with HIV.”
“We are not going to go to schools, line up pupils and distribute condoms, rather, if children ask for contraceptives, including condoms, we will meet that demand”.
"If a young person comes asking for services, including condoms, nobody expects us to refuse. They are just coming out in the open to say they are sexually active," he said.
Critics insist that kids will see the provision of condoms as an excuse to have sex.
Governing bodies of schools are said to have the final say in the condom distribution project.
What do you think? Should condoms be made available to schools?
Government is pressing ahead with plans to distribute condoms to schools in an effort to combat teen pregnancy and HIV transmission amongst pupils, reports News24. Supporters have welcomed what they say is a positive move in protecting school kids, but others have suggested that the distribution of condoms to schools could encourage pupils to engage in risk-taking sexual activities.
Scary stats
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi insists the distribution of condoms is beneficial in South Africa which has, according to the report, “a population of around 50 million [and] recorded about 94 000 unplanned teen pregnancies in schools last year, of which 77 000 ended in abortions. In addition, one in every 11 people is infected with HIV.”
“We are not going to go to schools, line up pupils and distribute condoms, rather, if children ask for contraceptives, including condoms, we will meet that demand”.
"If a young person comes asking for services, including condoms, nobody expects us to refuse. They are just coming out in the open to say they are sexually active," he said.
Critics insist that kids will see the provision of condoms as an excuse to have sex.
Governing bodies of schools are said to have the final say in the condom distribution project.
What do you think? Should condoms be made available to schools?
