KUALA LUMPUR, June 4 — Teenage girls involved in out-of-wedlock pregnancies will continue to receive support to ensure they return to school and sit for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said.
She said these students must be given every opportunity to continue their education and avoid dropping out of the school system.
“They should return to their studies after completing their confinement period. I am very firm on this matter. There can be no shortcuts in life because education is the key to breaking the cycle of violence and rebuilding one’s future.
“The Ministry of Education (MOE) will usually assist these students in returning to school and ensure they are able to sit for the SPM without disruption to their education,” she said in a Facebook post.
The minister stressed that teenage pregnancy should be addressed through a support-, protection- and education-based approach to safeguard the welfare of both mother and child.
Fadhlina said that once a pregnancy is discovered, the teenager should be taken to the nearest health clinic or rural health centre to register for maternal healthcare and open a pregnancy health record or the “pink book”.
“The priority must be the pregnancy and the health of the young girl. The younger the teenager, the greater the risks to both her pregnancy and her health. The government healthcare system is fully equipped and has the expertise to manage these cases,” she said.
She also advised parents to lodge a police report and arrange counselling support immediately so that the teenager can share the full circumstances of the case, enabling appropriate follow-up action.
With her post, the minister also shared a media report on a young mother who pleaded guilty to causing the death of her baby in Johor yesterday.
She said the case was particularly distressing to her as a former activist involved in establishing Bayt Al-Rahmah, a shelter for girls facing out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
Addressing the challenges faced by parents, including feelings of shame and anger, Fadhlina said institutions such as Bayt Al-Rahmah play an important role in providing a safe environment and protection for expectant mothers until childbirth.
“The government also provides similar support services through the Social Welfare Department (JKM), which offers shelter and protection under government-run institutions,” she said.
Fadhlina further highlighted that the post-partum period is a critical phase that may lead to depression or other mental health complications if adequate care is not provided.
Comprehensive support, including healthcare, breastfeeding assistance and continuous counselling, she said, is essential to ensure young mothers do not face overwhelming stress.
“There are many young girls out there who are frightened and worried about their pregnancies. What is far more important is that we adopt preventive and supportive approaches when seeking solutions to this social issue.
“We can save the lives of both mothers and children by acting early, trusting the system rather than social stigma, and building strong support networks within our communities,” she added. — Bernama