Primary school learners found with weapons, drugs, alcohol
The principal has called on Highway residents to help resolve the issues faced by the school.
DURING an investigation into the numerous counts of food poisoning at Motala Heights Primary School, it was soon revealed there were darker truths to be found as learners were discovered to be in possession of drugs, weapons and alcohol.
DA PR councillor for Ward 13 and 15, Marlaine Nair, responded to the numerous complaints from parents concerning their children contracting food poisoning after eating food provided on the school’s nutrition programme.
Nair called the Department of Health (DoH) to do an urgent investigation and it was discovered that the supplier had been serving the learners expired food.
The DoH stated that the supplier was given a warning and education on the importance of supplying fresh food to the children and assured Nair that periodic checks would be carried out.
Nair met with the school’s principal, Busisiwe Molefe, the governing boy chairman, Billy Hoosen and CPF chairman, Justin Bosse to discuss these findings and other complaints made by parents.
“At the meeting it was revealed that the expired food served to learners was only one of the numerous problems faced by the school. Hoosen said many learners at the school showed no respect for authority and urgent intervention was required,” said Nair.
Children had weapons and drugs
Molefe welcomed any assistance in resolving issues faced by the school.
She explained that many of the problematic learners came from homes where parents were abusive or used drugs openly.
Justin Bosse said during an inspection of the school, many learners were found to be in possession of drugs, alcohol and weapons.
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He added that the goal was to make Motala Heights Primary School a safe space with a zero tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol. He offered to assist the school and the community to find a solution.
“The problems facing the school are extremely serious and need urgent intervention. These children have a right to be in a safe environment at all times.
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“They also have a right to fresh, clean food and good quality education. Where there is no discipline and mutual respect, effective learning cannot take place. I will be writing to my colleagues in the provincial legislature for urgent intervention regarding this matter,” added Nair.
Thora Mansfield, director of the Open Door Crisis Care Centre in Pinetown responded:
“Open Door has been working in the field of drugs, and particularly in schools, for many years offering prevention and educational programmes and has a specific drug programme for both young learners as well as high school peer educators.
“The problem at Motala Heights is not an isolated case and is typical of what is happening in many schools surrounding us. The Open Door has a wellness clinic and learners that have either been expelled or suspended are sent to us for counselling and support. The counselling outcome must have a behavioural change outcome and a report is given back to the schools for referral to a rehab centre or taken back into the educational stream,” said Mansfield.
In 2016/2017, 259 people were counselled for drug and substance abuse and 283 awareness programmes were run in schools and rural communities. “The most interesting of our stats is family behaviour and relationships account for more than 2 000 clients per year, which shows the breakdown of the family structures leading to social problems including drugs in the communities,” said Mansfield.
Mansfield contacted the DA representative for the area to discuss how the organisation could partner with and address the affects of all forms of drugs and other substances that are destroying the lives of youth.
Open Door, together with the principal of Motala Heights Primary School and various other stakeholders, will address these social issues.
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