Japan enhances support for pregnant high school girls

April 15, 2018

Tokyo- The Japanese education ministry has been enhancing support for pregnant high school girls, as its recent survey showed that 2,098 pregnant students were recognized at public high schools across Japan in fiscal 2015 and 2016.

The ministry recently instructed the education boards of prefectures and major cities to allow pregnant students not to perform in school gym classes if they submit related reports or participate in the classes as observers, officials said.

The ministry also asked the education boards to provide mental health care and other support measures to pregnant students while consulting with them and their parents.

The instructions also called for support for women who quit high school due to pregnancy, such as providing information on measures to cover school fees if they hope to return to school.

A suprapartisan group of lawmakers on the issue of child poverty had urged the government to take measures for pregnant high school girls, given that high school dropouts tend to face difficulties finding jobs.

According to the ministry survey, 642 of the 2,098 pregnant girls left high school at the will of themselves or their parents. Jiji Press