Teen moms reintegration programme receives donation
ANSA McAl has donated a quantity of baby supplies to the Education Ministry to lend its support to boost the Reintegration of Teenage Mothers into the School System. The donation valued 0,000 will assist the Education Ministry in its effort to ensure that teenagers who become pregnant will still be able to complete the Secondary School Examination Certificate (CSEC), commonly known as the CXC exams.
ANSA McAL hands over $150,000 in baby supplies for the Teenage Mothers Reintegration Programme. From left to right: Janelle Sweatnam, HIV/AIDS Coordinator: Donna Chapman, Deputy Chief Education Officer: Delma Nedd, Permanent Secretary and ANSA McAL representatives
Speaking at the handing-over on Monday, ANSA McAl marketing representative Joel Lee explained that his company is more than happy to contribute to this venture. Included in the care packages are baby diapers, oil, powder, towels, a bottle, cream and wipes.
“This is just the beginning and we look forward to continued partnership with the Ministry of Education [to assist] the teenage mother’s programme. To be a part of this is really an honour and we thank [the Ministry] for approaching us to give us this opportunity to be a part,” the marketing rep noted.
Meanwhile, the Education Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Delma Nedd observed that so far, more than 100 expectant mothers in various regions have been given packages.
She added that 17 mothers in Region 4, including Georgetown, recently benefitted from the programme while 14 benefitted in Region 10. Nedd however cautioned that this initiative should not be seen as a means for girls to get pregnant.
“This is quite an opportune time for ANSA McAl to come on board with us to assist our teenage mothers getting back into our schools, equipping them with supporting materials for their newborns [but] we don’t want to publically say to young ladies to go and get pregnant…but what we want to do is to ensure that they can get a second chance,” Nedd posited.
Earlier in 2016, Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine highlighted that the implementation of the programme would result in the creation of “better all rounded citizens” and “a better society.”
He added that when school aged girls do not return to school after giving birth, it creates an “overburden” on the welfare system, which he noted could possibly create avenues for the exploitation of women, thus increasing the illiteracy rate.
The programme to reintegrate teenage mothers in the school system was first launched in 2008 and the initiative is in keeping with the Millennium Development Goals.
