Intervention mechanisms for minimising teenage pregnancies among secondary school learners in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study established the mechanisms that can be employed to minimise cases of teenage pregnancies among secondary school girls in Gweru District which cause adverse effects on their livelihood. Girls suffer psychologically, healthy wise, socially, drop out of school and are deprived of their economic development as a result of teenage pregnancy. This prompted this study to find possible solutions to these challenges. This research is informed by the Liberal Feminist Theory and the Ecological Systems Theory. A qualitative phenomenological design was employed with focus group discussions and interviews as data collection instruments. Ten ‘O’ Level girls and ten teachers participated in focus group discussions. Two school heads and eight parents were interviewed. This sample was derived from a population of three hundred and two from two secondary schools. The researcher used the Tesch’s open coding method of data analysis and theme identification. This study established intervention mechanisms to minimise teenage pregnancies such as having comprehensive Guidance and Counselling (G & C) specialist teachers and G & C clinics in schools. Real construction of more secondary schools to reduce the distance travelled by learners to and from school. Widening and improving access to provisions provided by safety nets such as BEAM to cater for all the girl child’s needs. The adoption of a standard uniform or dress code in schools could enhance unhu/ubuntu and the provision of comprehensive sex education in schools was also encouraged. Involvement of parents and the community through the hidden curriculum to enforce true cultural values and ethics can also reduce cases of teenage pregnancies. The early warning system and monitoring to be enforced in schools. Policy changes such as establishing foster mothers, monitoring of the internet use in schools and internet cafes, child marriages and child headed families as a result of parents leaving for greener pastures to be enforced. Youth empowerment and creation of employment can be done to minimise teenage pregnancies. This study recommends that microsystems, and the mesosystems-linkages, exosystems, as well as the macro-systems (political, ideology) should be engaged. Cooperation is needed among all stakeholders (cultural, religious or political) in order to minimise incidences of teenage pregnancies among secondary school girls.