Abstract:

This study sought to determine factors contributing towards learner pregnancy in South African secondary schools. Purposive sampling was used to select participants in this study. Interviews were used to collect qualitative data on factors contributing towards learner pregnancy from 8 pregnant learners, 2 departmental officials, 4 principals, 4 school governing body members, and 4 educators in this study. Data were analysed using themes and sub-themes in this study. The study found among others the following factors as contributing towards learner pregnancy in South African schools: very few parents were working and are not able to provide adequate support to their female learners; poverty: peer pressure; the issue of the Child Support Grant; refusal to use preventive measures; and environmental factors. Implications of these findings are discussed in detail in the study.

Keywords:

Factors, learner pregnancy, secondary schools, South Africa.