The current Parliament would be remembered and cherished forever if they could pass a law banning the selling of vape products in shops or in any outlet in the country.
This was the plea made by Evelyn Baring High School administration as a way to intervene in the abuse of drugs which is rife in schools such that one could even think this has become part of the ‘syllabus’.
This was raised during a parents meeting at the school where it was highlighted that the pupils were so consumed by using vapes.
The school said Parliament was the last resort in saving the future of children in schools from being ruined by drug substances.
During a meeting for parents of boarding pupils, Headteacher Xolani Ginindza said drug abuse, including the infamous vapes which come in different forms and different flavours, remained a headache in the school, stating that if nothing was done, then that would mean a bleak future for the school.
Parents for the boarding pupils held a special meeting where they were addressed on several issues and challenges, some of which needed parents’ commitment to have them solved once and for all.
Evelyn Baring High is a male boarding school and this year, there are 220 boys staying in the hostel.
Ginindza said the abuse of drugs in the school by both boarding pupils and day scholars had become a serious concern which was threatening the good record when it comes to its achievements, including academic performance.
“Our only hope is now with the MPs to pass a law banning the sale of vapes in any shop or outlet in the country. The use of these substances is crippling the future of these young souls. There are other known drugs whose use is also forbidden in the country as should one be caught, you are arrested but here we are talking about a substance sold in our shops without being aware of its consequences,” said Ginindza.
Ginindza said now that it was known how dangerous vapes are to children, lawmakers needed to spring into action by passing a law calling for removal of all such products from the shelves.
In the meeting, parents were also advised to be careful when it comes to pocket money they give their children. Ginindza said there were children whose parents were spoiling them by giving them large amounts of money. He said boarding pupils were not starving as they were served five meals a day.
“Boarders are served breakfast, tea break, lunch as well as supper and evening meals every day. The meals are not just, they match meals that you cannot get even in some of the established resorts. In short, I am saying your children are well taken care of when it comes to meals. A sum of E30 is enough as pocket money for your child. Some of you parents are to blame as the children end up using the money for drugs,” said Ginindza.
The headteacher was supported by the school committee Chairperson Mandla Sibandze, who said there were parents who were known as ‘money-spinners’ and were giving their children any amount of money.
“It is then where these children start indulging in some of these evil and other atrocities including involving themselves in drugs because of the money you give them. You may think you are being a responsible parent when you are actually destroying the children,” said Sibandze.
