Posted 17 Mar 2010

Individuals in TEFL jobs should focus on teaching the whole class rather than putting too much energy into helping pregnant pupils get back into education, according to one industry source.

Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, explained that the transition for young mothers when they are trying to get back into their studies can be difficult, but teachers should not take on too much responsibility in this situation.

People teaching English abroad may come across the situation in which a youngster has a baby at a tender age, but the best thing they can do is concentrate on doing their "primary job" of imparting knowledge to the whole class, according to Mr Seaton.

He added: "I can imagine both the teenagers and the school find it very difficult because schools aren’t really geared up to deal with pregnant pupils."

His comments follow the publication of a report by Barnardo’s, which found that 70 per cent of young mothers are not in education, employment or training in the UK.

Category: Teaching and Learning