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Vudal's pregnancy policy working
By
Reporter
THE University of Vudal's tough stance against pregnancy in all its campuses continues to ensure that female students take responsibility for their education. Its Pregnancy Policy, which states that students found pregnant at registration must withdraw from studies, has been in implementation since 2004. Since then, the number of pregnancies at the university has dropped dramatically, from an average of 20 students per year to only four. "This is a huge reduction (about 80 per cent) and proves that this policy is a good one," sister-in-charge of the university clinic, Nancy Galoko said. "It (policy) teaches the majority of female students to act responsibly in order to complete their studies successfully." Sr Galoko said with the policy, female students could avoid unplanned pregnancies, abortions, early marriages and social problems on campus. "This is good because they are not yet ready for these types of commitment, responsibilities and obligations," she said. Sr Galoko, who is also an HIV/AIDS counselor, said with the increasing number of people living with HIV and AIDS, the policy also encouraged students to delay having sexual relations, thus keeping them safe from the dreaded disease. As a practical (field-based) university, other factors that were taken into consideration when drawing up the policy included: • the health of the student; • health of the fetus/infant/child; • mental and psychological stress on expectant mother; • divided attention on academic and motherhood responsibilities; • the university's responsibility to educating responsible citizens; • the image of the university when students are on field attachments; and • the losing of scholarships, particularly NZAid under its the Women in Agriculture program. All female students take a pregnancy test during registration as part of their general medical check-up. Those found pregnant are given seven days to withdraw from their studies. Apart from pregnancy policy, the university also has strict rules and regulations against the possession and consumption of alcohol by students. |
NEWS
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