Schools must tackle teen pregnancies, says community group

Schools need to become more involved in personal education to reduce teenage pregnancies, a community group said tonight.

Staff at the Clondalkin Community Health Initiative claimed projects over the last five years for local people showed the need for better education.

Around 50 young women in the west Dublin area have been assisted with sexual and relationship matters.

Community workers said it was evidence of the need for pregnancy prevention courses and the benefit of highly trained local staff.

The Clondalkin-based group said it was essential people from the area were given the skills to deal with the problems of teenage pregnancy, sex and relationship troubles in a local context.

An evaluation report from the training group said there was a real need for flexibility when developing community based courses.

But it warned there was also a need for a holistic approach for the participants that includes areas such as personal development, dealing with peer pressure and self esteem.

The study also called on state bodies to help community initiatives through financial and technical support.