adminAFTER 37 pupils fell pregnant last year, the principal decided to apply tough love.
He told the pupils: a�?Either you are school pupils or parents. If you choose to be a parent, please get out of the school for good.a�?
It seems the ultimatum worked!
Pregnancies have dropped to almost zero at Nomathiya Technical High School in Mtubatuba. This year only two pupils fell pregnant.
Though principal Thulani Ndaba did not carry out his threat and expel the two, they do not have the freedom of the school and arena��t allowed to run around the premises or walk the corridors as they might influence others.
Ndaba said: a�?I told pupils if they want to be mummies and daddies they must leave school. I only want pupils who are here to learn.
a�?Ia��ll continue with my strict rules because I want a 75% matric rate pass this year, compared to last yeara��s 48%.a�?
Ndabaa��s tough love stance has been welcomed by parents.
School parent Bhekuyise Shandu (65) said last yeara��s situation was an embarrassment for all of them.a�?The principal called a parentsa�� meeting to tell us about his new rules. We all agreed to support him because we didna��t know what to do anymore. The situation was bad. But now wea��re happy about the results.a�?
SGB chairwoman Jabu Ngubane (56) said Ndaba even threatened to break the rule of every childa��s right to education.
a�?As a school we had tried everything, including awareness campaigns. Though not expelled, the two pupils have been warned not to walk up and down the school as they will send the wrong message to other girls,a�? she said.
Education spokesman Sicelo Khuzwayo said: a�?According to government regulations, every child deserves an education. But if the parents are happy wea��re also happy.
a�?We will try to engage the school to find another way of sorting out the pregnancy problem without breaking the law.a�? a�� dailysun
derick.khumalo