31 schoolgirl pregnancies last year

There were 31 cases of pregnancies involving girls aged up to 16 last year, the House Family Affairs Committee heard this evening. There was one case in the past few years where a school girl got pregnant at 13 and again at 15. The statistics were given by Micheline Sciberras, director in the education services directorate, and Sandra Cortis, service manager. Dr Sciberras said there were 74 teenage pregnancies (up to 16 years old) in 2008, 43 in 2009, 47 in 2010, 31 last year and 27 so far this year. The numbers then rose in the 16-19 age bracket. The committee was discussing teenage pregnancies. Dr Sciberras said the number of teenage mothers who opted to continue their studies was low, most girls opting to leave school as soon as their pregnancy became apparent. However there were some cases where a few girls returns to the classroom and even continued post-secondary education. The authorities, she explained offered services to prevent schoolgirls from getting pregnant and also offered support to them and their parents should pregnancies take place. Assistance and encouragement were also offered to the fathers where possible, although such relationships often did not last...