The Schools Welfare Department recently hosted a mini-exhibition to showcase the creativity and talent of teenage mothers, in an effort to equip them in undertaking their new roles as mothers as well as completing their secondary education.
Acting Chief Schools Welfare Officer Carol Melville said the exhibition intended to instil in the teenage mothers a sense of accomplishment. It is also to provide them with an avenue to earn an income, a press release from the Ministry of Education said. Some of the items displayed were place mats, napkins, cushions, baby comforters, soft toys, pillow slips and various leather craft items.
Melville said of the 17 participants, five had been reintegrated into the school system; two were being trained in leather craft production and through networking in her Department, four have secured employment. She said the Department continues to counsel and find new opportunities for the participants to ensure that they lead disciplined and productive lives.
Of the five girls who became pregnant at school, four have been placed at secondary schools within the city and the parents of the other girl have opted to send her to a private school on the East Coast Demerara. Melville said the teens are participating in educational sessions in areas such as self-esteem, parenting and child care and stress and anger management, all in a bid to empower them and help them to cope with their new role as mothers as well as complete their education. She noted that the Department became aware of the teenage mothers after it hosted outreach exercises in clinics, schools and communities.
The Ministry said it has recognised the drastic changes in lifestyles over the past 30 years and the programme to reintegrate the teenage mothers back into school is one of the measures it has taken to ensure a progressive society for the vulnerable. The Ministry views education as a fundamental human right and stands firm that a 14-year-old who becomes pregnant while in school has not lost that right. As such, it has also encouraged head teachers to reach out to teenage mothers as some are victims of broken homes and other varying unfortunate circumstances.
