School acts after 6 learners are found to be intoxicated

The Gauteng Department of Education is aware that six Grade 7 learners at Witkoppen Primary School were intoxicated at the school recently.

The principal of the school did not want to respond to questions on the matter, however, the spokesperson for the Department of Education, Steve Mabona, said, “Although no learner was arrested, their parents were immediately summoned to the school. The school instituted necessary disciplinary processes, whereby all affected parents are kept abreast.

“In addition, the school is working closely with the local police on the school’s adopt-a-cop programme.

“Psychosocial support has been offered to all implicated learners.”

The Fourways Review was made aware of the incident by a concerned parent of a learner of the primary school.

“I’m really concerned by the things happening in that school,” said the parent who wished to remain anonymous to avoid victimisation.

“We were called to come to fetch our children from school after a teacher spotted a group of Grade 7 pupils drunk out of their minds and crying.”

The parent also claimed that teachers at the school are drunk on duty and she had reported the matter to the Gauteng Department of Education.

“Children do what they see being done by adults… If teachers drink and are spotted drunk by children as young as 12, of course, the kids will end up doing the same,” said the parent.

Mabona said it was important to note that allegations of teachers being intoxicated at the school were not substantiated.

“Learner discipline has been identified as one of the priorities of the department. Ill-discipline will not be tolerated. The department would like to urge all our learners to refrain from acts of misconduct in schools.”

He concluded, “We also urge parents to assist the department in instilling learner discipline in and outside the school environment.”

Related article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/246408/disciplinary-process-at-government-schools/