A High school in Willowvale in the Eastern Cape has instructed all learners to undergo a drugs test before the start of the new school year in 2022.
Female students will also be required to do a pregnancy test prior to being admitted.
The Xolilizwe Senior Secondary School made the announcement on their Facebook page on Monday and also referred pupils to a local clinic where a drugs test can be done for R200 and a pregnancy test for R50.
A spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape, Mali Mtima, told Algoa FM News that they were aware of the school's request but stressed that the consent of parents would be of the utmost importance so as not to subject the Department to possible litigation.
He said a school should never contradict the Constitution and should never impede a learner's access to education.
Mtima says a Departmental team will be monitoring the situation.
The 2022 school year for coastal learners starts on the 19th of January.
Teen pregnancies have for years been a problem in South Africa and were back in the spotlight late last year when shocking figures were released by the Department of Health in Gauteng.
According to a draft policy from the Department of Education on the prevention and management of learner pregnancy in schools, learners have a right to basic education, despite their
pregnancy or post-pregnancy status and further states that no school policy or practice may unfairly discriminate against learners based on their pregnancy status.
The Eastern Cape Health Department said a 13-year-old girl was one of 15 teenagers who gave birth on New Year’s Day.
