Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator - Radio
STUDENTS OF several leading high schools are calling on the
Government to immediately make condoms available in these educational institutions.
Speaking at a Gleaner Editors' Forum last Wednesday, Toni-Ann Falconer, a prefect at the Glenmuir High School in Clarendon, said given the increasing concerns with the issue of teenage pregnancy, making condoms available
in schools would be the most realistic option to address the problem.
"We are just turning our backs on certain things and we don't realise that in turning our backs we are just adding fuel to fire," she said.
Miss Falconer further said that protracted discussions on the matter have not been constructive and called for structured consultation on the issue.
She said she was concerned at the current rate of teenage
pregnancies.
The National Family Planning Board has reported that while the number of teens becoming parents at an early age has declined, the figure remains high.
The latest statistics immediately available indicate that 5,249 girls aged 15-19 years had their first child in 2003, down from 6,245 in 2002 and 7,395 in 2001.
Figures from the Registrar General's Department also revealed that 1,328 girls in that age group became parents for the second time last year compared to 1,517 in 2002 and 1,730 in 2001.
ALARMED
Omar Dacres of Kingston
college said he is alarmed at the magnitude of the problem. "The pregnancy rate has reached a point where prevention is better than cure," he said, endorsing the call for condoms to be made available in secondary learning situations.
Kirk Carr, the head boy at Wolmer's Boys' School, concurs but recognises that such a move could also be disadvantageous.
According to him, it could encourage early sexual activities, however, he said it is apparent that either way, school children are engaged in sexual encounters.
TEENAGE PREGNANCY
Mr. Carr argued that at some tertiary institutions for example, where condoms may be obtained by way of purchase, there appears to be fewer incidents of teenagers becoming pregnant.
But Bradford Bolt, Ardenne High's head boy, is opposed to the suggestions for condoms to be made available in schools. Instead he wants a revised programme of sex education in schools. He also wants the Ministry of Education and Youth to swiftly undertake a pro-gramme on parenting utilising the media, parent-teachers'
associations and community organisations.
According to Mr. Bolt, issues of student behaviour are often reflections of poor family values.
