Saturday, 4 May, 2024
HomeHealth PolicyControversy over c ondoms to help fight STDs in SA schools

Controversy over c ondoms to help fight STDs in SA schools

C ondoms could be available at high schools across SA as early as next year, in a bid to counter high teenage pregnancy rates and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, reports the [s]Cape Argus[/s]. Elijah Mhlanga, spokesperson for the [b]National Education Department[/b], confirmed that they were reviewing policy about c ondoms in schools. Tim Gordon, CEO of the [b]Governing Body Foundation[/b], which represents 750 member schools, said the organisation reluctantly supported the move, but that educational awareness was key.

Paul Colditz, CEO of the [b]Federation of Governing Bodies of SA Schools[/b], said the federation was opposed to the distribution of c ondoms in schools, reports [s]IoL[/s]. While it acknowledged that many young people were sexually active, having c ondoms in schools could lead to the idea that premarital sex was the right thing to do. But Nikki Stein, an attorney at [b]Section27[/b], said: ‘We can’t teach them (pupils) about responsibility without giving them access to c ondoms.’

[link url=http://capeargus.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/showarticle.aspx?article=189958dd-4f30-44a8-97c8-973d10d88aa8&key=CK8G3qh2bqyY26%2fL%2f5tQ8Q%3d%3d&issue=70672014080300000000001001]Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed)[/link]
[link url=http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/family/kids/c ondoms-in-school-will-send-wrong-message-1.1722984#.U-C1p-OSzE0]Full IoL report[/link]

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