North West education department spokeswoman Bayanda Zenzile said 17 pupils at Barolong High School in Mahikeng, between the ages of 14 and 18, were pregnant, the Sowetan reported today.

Several parents were waiting outside the school, ready to help their daughters should they go into labour. Zenzile said the parents and guardians of the pupils agreed to be on hand.

However, several parents expressed misgivings as they had to miss work or did not have the skills or resources to help in case their daughters went into labour.

A staff member told the paper that one student had already given birth at the school.

She said pregnancies made the work of teachers more difficult as pregnant pupils might fall asleep during examinations.