Teachers’ perceptions and experiences of teenage pregnancy in secondary schools

Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is a serious cause for concern. It is said to be always unplanned. Teenage girls who fall pregnant while attending school often dropout from school. In South Africa, recent policies in education prevent exclusion of pregnant learners from school. However, most teachers seem challenged to deal with teenage pregnancy in their classrooms and in the entire school. The purpose of this study was to explore the teachers’ perceptions and experiences of teenage pregnancy in secondary schools within the Tshwane South District in Gauteng. The study used an exploratory, descriptive, explanatory qualitative approach and the case study research design. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews. Purposive sampling included 16 teachers from four secondary schools. Thematic content analysis was used as method of data analysis to collect data from participants. Findings: The study revealed that teenage pregnancy influenced school attendance and led to poor acdemic performance; factors that causes teenage pregnancy include poverty, peer pressure, lack of parental involvement and guidance, social network and media as well as substance abuse and alcohol. Participants experienced challenges such as lack of training and resources, Frustration in implementing policy, poor relationships between teachers and pregnant learners and Lack of competencies in reproductive related matters. Participants used strategies used such as school-based programmes based on prevention for teenage pregnancy, understanding of department policy as strategies to support learners. Views on how to address teenage pregnancy included Supporting learners through empathy and motivation. It was recommended that school attendance and poor academic performance need to be addressed by strengthening of teenage pregnancy preventative programmes and support strategies; that school, community, parents, NGOs and other stakeholders need to work hand-in-hand to curb teenage pregnancy, and that teachers need to be supported by educational psychologists. Sexuality education should be taught in the schools, community, churches and places where most teenagers visit. The teachers needed training on how to deal with teenage pregnancy at school.