A CedarBridge teacher and her students have hit back at `negative publicity' after a teenager at the school gave birth.

Teacher Gina Davis and eleven of her pupils were upset after estranged UBP MP Trevor Moniz thrust the school into the spotlight with allegations that a 15-year-old student had given birth.

The claims proved to be true, with the teenager having her baby at home.

Ms Davis and her students raised concerns that the education system, in particular CedarBridge, was being blamed for the pregnancy, when questions should have been asked at home.

They said: "If he (Mr. Moniz) had had his facts straight, he would have realised the child may not have even been a student at CedarBridge Academy during the conception.

"My students want to know what can a school do to prevent a teenager from getting pregnant? What can an education system do to prevent children from becoming parents? Teenagers have been getting pregnant since the beginning of time, why all of a sudden is this a CedarBridge Academy issue.'' The students also said that often pregnancies occur when girls are neglected or feel unwanted -- adding that all the sex education lessons cannot compensate for a child in need of love.

"This is a parental issue, since it is almost certain that this unfortunate young lady did not conceive on school premises, any school premises. What is going on in the home? "Teenagers getting pregnant has never been an education issue, it has to do with the relationship young people have with their parents. If parents, young or old, talked to their children, gave their children the love they need, they would not have to seek it in the arms of some other young person.'' They continued: "Students have written research papers in class on the topic of teenage pregnancies and when they have interviewed young friends that have got pregnant, one thing that was always clear is the idea of not having love at home or low self-esteem.

"Schools can educate young people about protected sex, sexually transmitted diseases, how babies are born, risky sexual behaviours, sexual abuse, and making choices, teachers can provide love, they can work on the self esteem, but they cannot be there with children all the time. No matter how much a teacher loves a child, they cannot and will never replace what parents can give that child.'' The comment sent to The Royal Gazette in a letter, was signed by Marilyn Cupidore, Dean Martin, Tarick Bean, Sergio White, Tanisha Manders, Dionne Pitt, Anthony Rocker, Cordia DiaWilson, Jessica Camara, Susan Gill, Special King, and Gina E.E. Davis (Teacher).

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