Project Aims to Reduce Teen Pregnancy
The most recent statistics show that last year there were 1.231 pregnant young girls in "secundaria" - high school. That number equates to 7.7 for 1.000 students in school are pregnant.

In addition, according to the Departamento de Estadística del Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP), there are 61 pregnant girls in grade school, especially in sixth grade, with 37 pregnancies.

If that is not alarming enough, the study shows that only 436 of the pregnant girls were over the age of 18; meaning that the majority (67%) gave birth while they were still a minor.

To avoid these types of situations to recur or at least to reduce the number of cases, the MEP has started a costly project in some schools.

The project is called "Piensalo bien" (think about it) and is being tested a the Liceo de Los Lagos de Heredia on ninth grade students.

Rocío Solís, directora de la Oficina de la Niñez y Adolescencia del Ministerio de Educación Pública (MEP), said, starting project is not the only answer, we must educate adolescents as well as give them material on pregnancy and parenthood.

The "Piensalo bien" aims to teach the young girls the responsibility of raising a child and how it will affect their live and the lives of their families.

A new born doll that is anatomically correct, is being used to show the young girls what it means to have a newborn. The doll cries when it is hungry and when it needs a change in diaper. The doll also wakes up in the morning and constantly asks for attention.

Solís said that it would be ideal to have the doll in all schools in the country, but the investment is too large for the Education Ministry to absorb.

The cost for the five dolls already purchases is ¢2 million colones (us$4.200).

Solís added that many private schools have adopted the "Piensalo bien" project as well.