The GSCE course for pupils thinking of having a baby
Last updated at 2:52 PM on 16th April,2009
Teenage girls will be offered a GCSE-level qualification in being a young parent.
Those who are 'considering becoming pregnant' or are so already will learn about caring for newborn babies, breastfeeding, family finances and how to deal with toddler tantrums.
Family campaigners have condemned the move as 'irresponsible' in a country which already has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe.
They warn that the qualification will send out the message that having a baby while still at school is an 'achievement'.
And they fear it could encourage pupils to see underage *** as the norm and confer 'respectability' on having babies at a young age.
Under the plan, Edexcel, the country's biggest exam board, will recognise teen parenting courses already coordinated by the National Community Learning Partnership.
There is no lower age limit, and some girls who have been on the courses were just 12.
The courses are currently held in special training centres or pupil behaviour units by charities such as the YWCA but will be massively expanded now they have been accredited and could even attract Government funding.
Schools with several pregnant pupils would be able to offer the courses themselves on the premises, provided they could attract qualified midwives and tutors to deliver them.
But pregnant schoolgirls will usually be referred to a training centre to study for the course a day a week.
Youngsters undertaking the courses will achieve a level one qualification, equivalent to G to D grade standard at GCSE.
They will sit no formal examinations but will instead work through a series of units, covering the practicalities of parenting as well as basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
Young mothers could use the qualification as a first step to gaining nursery nurse or teaching assistant qualifications, or a college place.
Young fathers will also be encouraged to sign up.
Pregnancies among girls under 16 in the UK have risen for the first time since 2002 and are at their highest level for a decade. In any given year, more than 40,000 teenage girls become pregnant and choose to have their babies.
Currently about 1,000 go on the parenting courses that Edexcel has accredited.
An Edexcel spokesman said: 'Schools will be made aware it's available if they want to recommend any of their pupils who are considering pregnancy or who are already pregnant.'
But Norman Wells, director of the Family Education Trust, said the initiative was ' irresponsible' and 'potentially counterproductive'.
'Awarding a qualification to pregnant teenagers and young parents sends out the message that having a baby while still at school is an achievement,' he said.
'And the idea that parenting courses could be made available to schoolgirls who are "considering becoming pregnant"-is as ridiculous as offeringdriving lessons to young children who are "considering driving a car".
'There is a danger that this kind of initiative could normalise illegal sexual activity and make it respectable for underage girls to have babies.'
Sheila King, national programme manager at NCLP, said: 'Research has shown the young people who do our courses have healthier babies, and go on to achieve, for example going on to college and university.'
Jerry Jarvis, Edexcel's managing director said: 'This is a unique set of qualifications and I hope it will engage young parents and encourage them to continue their learning.'
The GSCE course for pupils thinking of having a baby.
(D.S.G)
Linear Mode
