Following a call from a reader who works in the Highlands North area, the North Eastern Tribune inquired into allegations that pupils from local schools spend time outside school hours drinking and smoking on the corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Athol Street.
According to the woman, who described herself as a worried mother, pupils from Highlands North Boys High School, Waverley Girls High School and Northview High School are often seen smoking and drinking alcohol from 7am until school starts, and after 2pm when school has finished.
“I feel that police officers and school principals must do something to help this matter. It is not fair on these kids,” said the woman.
When approached, none of the schools in question were able to comment on the matter. However, Phumla Sekhonyane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, stated that while the department is aware of pupils loitering around Louis Botha Avenue before and after school hours, there has never been a report of these pupils consuming alcohol or smoking.
Instead, Sekhonyane stressed that the schools mentioned have study programmes in the mornings and after school hours.
“We appeal to all parents with tangible evidence to come forward and report the matter to the relevant authorities,” she said.
A North Eastern Tribune reporter visiting the scene one weekday afternoon confirmed that large numbers of pupils from these schools and others do congregate around the intersection of Louis Botha Avenue and Athol Street, many of them waiting to catch a taxi from this busy corner.
However, the reporter was unable to verify the reader’s complaint, and witnessed no illegal activity by any of the pupils.
While it seems that most pupils who gather along Louis Botha Avenue do so only to access transport, it remains unclear whose responsibility it is to monitor and regulate the behaviour of pupils outside school hours and off school property, but in school uniform.
Have you witnessed school pupils smoking and drinking around Louis Botha Avenue or other areas?
Tell us by posting on our timeline, North Eastern Tribune or tweet us @NE_Tribune
Add North East Tribune on BBM for the latest news in your community. PIN: 29BEEF78
