The statistic of teenage pregnancy in Sarawak (Source: Sarawak Social Development Council)
Since 2016, more than 50 series of Social Intervention Program: Sexual Education Awareness and Advocacy (KAPS) has been introduced to schools throughout Sarawak.
KAPS is an outreach program by the Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development through the Sarawak Social Development Council (MPSS) in collaboration with students, parents as well as teachers in addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy.
The programs are held in secondary schools with the participation of more than 15, 000 students.
Among the objectives of the program includes to inculcate awareness and advocate the prevention of pregnancy among teenagers and students.
The program also aims in preventing teenagers or students in getting involved in extramarital sex.
Apart from that, the program promotes sexual education among students as well as motivating them on the importance of other aspect of education in self-development, family and livelihood.
In addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy, the ministry has also introduced the One-Stop Teenage Pregnancy Committee (OSTPC) to identify the main factors that contributes to teenage pregnancy.
And according to the Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development, YB Dato Sri Hajah Fatimah Abdullah, the Ministry of Education (MoE) have decided to formulate a new introductory Sexual Health Education syllabus for Form 1 students in addressing the issue of teenage pregnancy.
The introduction of KAPS program as well as other interventions is especially important as Sarawak has the highest number of teenage pregnancies in Malaysia.
