Principals' perceptions of teenage pregnancy in selected high schools in the Qacha's Nek District, Lesotho

Abstract

This study investigated school principals’ perceptions of teenage pregnancy in selected high schools in the Qacha’s Nek district in Lesotho. A qualitative approach that used semi-structured interviews was employed to gather data from 10 principals who were intentionally selected from 10 high schools in the Qacha’s Nek district. The findings of the study revealed that teenage pregnancy is a serious issue experienced in many schools in Lesotho. The study also established that when teenage pregnancy occurs in schools, it interferes with teaching and learning because teachers do not have knowledge and skills required to deal with pregnant learners. Also, teenage pregnancy has a negative impact on the education of girls who fall pregnant at school because they encounter challenges such as, missing school on a regular basis, poor school performance, stigmatisation and discrimination which often result in girls dropping out of school. The study has also established that there is no national policy that guides schools on how to deal with teenage pregnancy. As a result, schools appear to be dealing with the issue of learners’ pregnancies differently. The study, therefore, recommends that the Ministry of Education and Training develops a national policy that guides schools on dealing with learners’ pregnancies. It is also recommended that the implementation of Life Skills-Based Sexuality Education in schools be improved by providing teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to manage this programme effectively, and support students with sexual difficulties affecting them in their everyday lives.