Government proposals gazetted this week include offering condoms to high school students and, “where required” to primary school students in grades four to six (aged nine to 12).

The proposal further called for mandatory sex education for students in both primary and high school. Teachers and students will also be able to voluntarily test for HIV and TB through mobile clinics visiting the schools.

The move has been met with fury from children’s support groups who, according to the Sunday Times, called it a “hamfisted” attempt to deal with teenage pregnancies, particularly in poorer schools.

Children’s rights activists, schools, parents and any affected parties have 21 days to respond.

Tim Gordon, national chief executive of the Governing Body Foundation representing over 700 schools, told the publication he was saddened that such young children could be given condoms, but that he knew children as young as seven who were falling pregnant.

“[It is] a sad reflection on society and on the teaching profession if things have reached a stage where they have got to start putting measures like this in place,” he told the publication.

Basic Education Department spokesman Elijah Mhlanga said younger students will be offered condoms as parliament was told that 717 primary school pupils and 20116 high school pupils had fallen pregnant in 2014.

Mhlanga confirmed that condoms will not be distributed to younger pupils, only those judged as mature for their age. “It will be done in a dignified and private manner,” he said.

While some argue that students given condoms may be tempted to become sexually active, others are of the opinion that distributing condoms will not change anything as the students will not necessarily make use of them.

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