adminPlumtree Correspondent
RESTLESS Development, a non-governmental organisation operating in Mangwe District, has come under fire for offering pregnancy prevention lessons to Form One pupils without government knowledge.The matter came to light during a departmental meeting called to discuss the operations of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the area on Friday.
During the meeting, the Bulilima and Mangwe districts’ nursing officer, Crescencia Maphosa, said pregnancy prevention education was not suitable for under aged pupils, save for those aged above 16.
“As a ministry we were not aware that such a programme was being conducted in schools in Mangwe as the organisation did not approach us first as required. Education on preventing pregnancy is only provided to pupils above 16 years in line with the laws of our country,” she said.
Maphosa added: “Anyone below the age of 16 is not fit to have sexual intercourse hence the need to exempt them from any content which can encourage them to have sexual intercourse.”
Different departmental heads who also spoke during the meeting also condemned the organisation’s lessons and demanded an audit of the NGO’s activities.
Member of the National Assembly for Mangwe Cde Obedingwa Mguni, who also attended the meeting, said NGO operations should complement and not distort government policies.
“Your operations as non-governmental organisations should correspond with government policies. I was amazed when I got to Ivimila High School and found a representative from Restless Development educating 13-year-old pupils on preventing pregnancy which is not in line with the Bill of Rights,” he said.
“To make it worse the programme was being conducted without the knowledge of the relevant ministry.”
The organisation’s representative who declined to be named could not comment on the issue saying only senior management was authorised to respond.
Online Reporter