Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region lll
Division of Bulacan
District of Bulakan
STA.INES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Sta. Ines, Bulakan, Bulacan

NARRATIVE REPORT ON SYMPOSIUM OF PUPILS AGES 10 AND

ABOVE ABOUT EARLY PREGNANCY
November 29, 2016
The rapid growth in the number of pregnant teenagers in the Philippines is very
alarming. Recent (2014) data from the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) reveal that
every hour, 24 babies are delivered by teenage mothers. According to the 2014 Young Adult
Fertility and Sexuality (YAFS) study, around 14 percent of Filipino girls aged 15 to 19 are
either pregnant for the first time or are already mothers—more than twice the rate recorded in
2002. Among six major economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the
Philippines has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies and is the only country where the rate
is increasing, per the United Nations Population Fund.

It is important that the children especially the girls to be enlighten and be aware
about Teenage Pregnancy, about its causes, risk and consequences.

Sta. Ines Elementary School conducted a symposium for female pupils ages 10 and
above about Teenage Pregnancy last November 29, 2016. Female pupils ages 10 and above
gathered in one classroom and watch a documentary about Teenage Pregnancy. After
watching the documentary film, Mrs. Teresita Martinez ask pupils reaction about the
documentary film that they have watched. After the responses of some pupils, Mrs Teresita
Martinez start a discussion about the alarming growth of Teenage Pregnancy in our country.

She also discussed the causes and risk of Teenage Pregnancy. Reasons for becoming
pregnant among teenagers include:
 curiosity and peer pressure;
 lack of information on safe sex;
 breakdown of family life and lack of good female role models in the family;
 absence of accessible, adolescent-friendly clinics.

Teenage mothers face critical health risks, including: inadequate nutrition during
pregnancy due to poor eating habits; dangers associated with the reproductive organs not
ready for birth; and maternal death due to higher risk of eclampsia, among others.

Teenage mothers face critical health risks, including:

 inadequate nutrition during pregnancy due to poor eating habits;
 dangers associated with the reproductive organs not ready for birth;
 maternal death due to higher risk of eclampsia,
 cervical cancer
 Mrs. Sunshine S. Yabut have a talk to the pupils on how they should take care of
themselves especially their bodies since they are the one who will suffer and take all the
consequences when circumstances came that they get pregnant in an early age. She also
stated that teenage pregnancy perpetuates the cycle of poverty and inequality because most
pregnant teenagers have no source of income and face greater financial difficulties later in
life. This is because they drop out of school and are less likely to pursue further education or
skills training.

Mrs. Dyan Olleras, as one of the grade 6 advisers gave some words of advices to
female pupils not to rush things especially having romantic relationship with opposite sex.
She emphasized that they must be equipped with the life skills and assets to help them make
the best decisions for themselves and their community. At the end of the day, when an
adolescent, especially a girl, knows her rights, is empowered to choose, and is heard, she can
improve not only her life but also the life of her immediate and future families

Prepared by:

SUNSHINE S. YABUT
School Guidance Coordinator

Noted:

LOLITA G. GUNGON
Principal I
Photos taken during the symposium