MEC cautions against ‘pens-down’ parties

The MEC for education in Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, has called on learners to remain focused as the end of the school year approaches and to refrain from participating in ‘pens-down parties’.

These are year-end parties organised by learners, especially those in Grade 12, to celebrate their freedom from books.

“These parties often end up in tragic incidents,” Lesufi says.

“All sorts of ungodly activities are done at such events including indulging in drugs, unprotected sex and tearing of school uniforms.

“The GDE implores parents to be alert and monitor the movement of their children and discourage them from participating in such acts.”

Lesufi appealed to the owners of liquor stores and taverns to take responsibility for ensuring that learners do not buy alcohol from their stores.

“We also plead with parents and members of the community to discourage these activities, since they have the potential to rob our children off their future endeavours.

“There are people who lost everything because of these activities, hence the warning to our children.”

Lesufi says young people need to know there are more important things in life, and that the consequences of such practices can sometimes be detrimental.

“We encourage our learners to donate their school uniform to their respective schools to be used by those who may need it most, instead of tearing same.”

Lesufi says a programme of holiday youth activities has been organised through the social cluster departments.

Facilitators, caregivers and site managers have been appointed for the programme, which will run for the first week of December.

“Through the said school holiday programme, we are creating opportunities for learners by exposing them to various places of interest in the province,” the MEC says.

“Learners will transported to various heritage sites as part of the programme.

“They will visit Johannesburg Zoo, Freedom Park, Constitutional Hill, Maropeng and Gold Reef City.”