By Kudakwashe Vhenge
The proliferation of sexual encounters among juveniles in high schools has led to a call by some sections of the society to make condoms be accessible by school pupils.
The call has been made by junior parliamentarians during a consultation exercise that was held by the BUSTOP TV news crew.
Mudzi South junior legislator Netsai Kimu suggested that its best school pupils be given condoms in order to protect them from Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy.
“School children are getting infected with STIs and as their MP I want to take decisive action.
“Relating to a recent debate with fellow junior parliamentarians on whether school children should access condoms in schools or not… I think it’s better to protect children because even if we deny it pupils are engaging in sexual activities.
Recently, St Theresa High school located 60 KM out of Rusape expelled nine students who were recorded intimately kissing and caressing each other in the four corners of a classroom.
The incident has signalled what could be transpiring in school premises unknowingly.
Shamwari Yemwanasikana Advocate and support services coordinator Natasha Ruya echoed the same sentiments saying that sexual intercourse is rife amongst school pupils hence condoms should be availed to them.
“As Shamwari Yemwanasikana we believe school pupils should be given access to condoms as they are already engaging in unprotected sexual activities, that’s a fact and we cannot run away from it”, said Ruya.
She also concurred with the idea of providing condoms to students reiterating that it prevents school dropouts
“7 000 girls dropping out of school is a big scare that should make people aware of what is really happening”, she added.
There has been a worrying trend by those who are conservative that the availing condoms to school pupils may inflame the rate at which pupils engage in sexual activities.https://youtu.be/bVHhoFN38Tg