An investigation on the implementation of the teenage pregnancy prevention programme case of Nombika High School in KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy remains a major challenge globally. It is one of the major challenges in South Africa, it is a major cause of school dropout in the country. The teenage fertility rate in South Africa has significantly increased over the past few years, and it is a cause of concern to the government and policy makers. Youth development programmes that include sex education are essential for delaying first sexual encounters and decreasing the rate of teenage pregnancy. Hence, the South African Department of Health (DOH) recommends a universal approach to school-based sex education. South Africa has engaged in a number of international commitments that are meant to address women and girls' sexual and reproductive health and rights, one of which is the implementation of the teenage pregnancy prevention programme in schools. This study examined the implementation of the teenage pregnancy prevention programme at Nombika high school in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). In light of the policy on Prevention and Management Learner Pregnancy, this study unpacked the role of the teenage pregnancy prevention programme in reducing pregnancy of learners and the stigma that comes with being pregnant at school. This study is underpinned by CIPP (Context, Input, Process, and Product) model and trans-theoretical model (TTM). This study is exploratory in nature. Semistructured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with officials, educators and parents of learners who participated in the programme. This study discovered that teenage pregnancy prevention programme plays an important role in addressing the teenage pregnancy problem in a school context. It was found that successful implementation of this programme requires an important consideration of the national policy on teenage pregnancy prevention. Further results suggest the importance of involving male learners and parents in the programme as vital to reduce teenage pregnancy in schools.