Take Condoms Out Of Schools
DEAR editor, allow me space to voice my concerns over the idea of distributing condoms to schools by Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL).
SPYL has decided or suggested that condoms be distributed to all schools countrywide to combat the ever-increasing number of teenagers falling pregnant as well as to eliminate HIV-AIDS infections among the said group.
Therefore, I personally feel that the SPYL decision will be more result oriented if they are to view the step from different perspectives before endorsing it. This literally means pros and cons must be properly considered and weighed before any action.
We, as educators, acknowledge that pregnancies and HIV-AIDS amongst learners are major national concerns and need to be done away with.
But, is the distribution of condoms on school premises really the only solution we can think of?
The exercise will certainly trigger the current ill-discipline among students and it is the teachers that are to suffer and when learners fail it will be the same SPYL to point figures to teachers under the pretext that they are not performing.
I strongly believe that freedom to have sex has been indirectly encouraged in this case. How on earth can one tell a learner that sexual activities are not allowed on school premises while condoms are on the premises? For what reasons are they there if not to have sex as long as they are protecting themselves from contracting HIV and impregnate others.
Do the outcomes of their, if any, research revealed that most learners fell pregnant as a result of unprotected sex on schools’ premises? Our teenagers have no excess sexual hormones in comparison to those in other countries but just need to be taught how to control their feelings and make informed decision about sexual health.
I therefore recommend that SPYL must do proper research in educational sector on the programmes that are already in place serving the same purpose and then perhaps find some mechanisms in improving or strengthening them were necessary. They should also consult teachers and principals for their inputs as they spend much time with pupils and know them better before the implementation.
Christian Mululu
Windhoek