FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO LEARNER PREGNANCY IN SOUTH AFRICAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This study sought to determine factors contributing to learner pregnancy in South African secondary schools. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for the study. Interviews were used to collect qualitative data on factors contributing to learner pregnancy from eight pregnant learners, two departmental officials, four principals, four school governing body members, and four educators. Data was analysed using themes and sub-themes. The study found that the factors that contribute to learner pregnancy in South African schools include a high rate of unemployment among parents which result in them being unable to provide adequate support to their daughters; poverty; peer pressure; the issue of the child support grant; refusal by learners to use preventive measures; and the nature of the environment in which the children grow up. Implications of these findings are discussed in detail in the study.