By Levy Masiteng
Draft regulations gazetted last week will require schools to support pregnant learners to stay in class and return after childbirth, while requiring pregnancies involving learners under 16 to be reported to social workers and police.
The draft regulations, issued under the South African Schools Act as amended by the BELA Act, require schools to provide a supportive and non-discriminatory environment for pregnant learners.
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In partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Social Development, schools will need to facilitate access to essential ante natal, post-natal and psychosocial support services for the pregnant learners.
An important provision in the draft regulations is the introduction of mandatory reporting in certain cases. Where a learner under the age of 16 falls pregnant, the school must report the matter to the Department of Social Development and to the South African Police Service.
Department of Basic Education (DBE) minister Siviwe Gwarube said the regulations build on progress already made in addressing learner pregnancy in schools.
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“We have moved away from a painful past where young girls were expelled or forced out of school due to pregnancy, these practices contributed to alarmingly high dropout rates. These regulations build on that progress and reaffirm our commitment to dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity,” she said.
Members of the public must submit written comments within 30 days from the date of publication on 25 March 2026, to LearnerPrengancyRegz@dbe.gov.za.
