The school where every girl is expecting

WHILE South Africa's matrics start preparing in earnest for their final exams, Naledi Vuma is dividing her time between her studies and caring for her 15-month-old baby, Busisizwe.

Vuma, 18, is one of 42 matric pupils at Hospital School Pretoria - the only government institution in South Africa exclusively for pregnant pupils and girls who have recently given birth while pupils there.

The young mother, who has set her sights on becoming a lawyer, said that although her pregnancy was unplanned, her baby was an inspiration and "a pure blessing".

Pregnant girls account for a large percentage of dropouts at schools , but those attending the hospital school have made remarkable academic progress.

Last year, 43 of the school's 50 matrics passed, including 17 who achieved university admission. A total of 22 of the 26 who sat for the Grade 11 exams passed and 22 of the 27 pupils in Grade 10 passed.

The 104 girls currently enrolled there are being taught by 20 teachers, including the principal. The school's enrolment figures fluctuate during the year because pupils are admitted as late as November.

Vuma, who scored 67% overall in the half-year exams, said that, unlike at other state schools, neither the teachers nor the pupils were judgmental.

"The teachers are very understanding of our situation and support us."

As well as discussing school work, she and her friends share child-rearing tips .

One of her friends, who is also 18 and has a one-month-old baby, returned to school on Friday.

Asked what message she would like to convey to the thousands of girls who dropped out of school after falling pregnant, she said: "If you give up on schooling, to whom is the child going to look up to when he or she grows up?"

The school's principal, Rina van Niekerk, said pupils from about 100 schools in South Africa attended the school.

Those attending are from both township as well as former model C schools.

"Most of the time they are referred by principals and the school's life orientation teachers. Social workers also refer learners to us."

According to the rules, pupils may remain until the end of the year in which their baby was born before returning to their former schools.

But those who studied at the school in Grade 11 may return the following year so that their schooling is not unduly disrupted.

The school has been operating under the radar for nearly 30 years. Fees are R480 a month.

"You can't really advertise the school, because you feel you will be promoting immorality," said Van Niekerk.

"It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears on both the side of the learners and educators.

"We beg, we threaten, we do everything just to get them going."

She said she admired her pupils for completing their schooling. - Prega Govender