OSHAKATI – The abuse of drugs and fermented beverages is rife, and a cause of concern at schools in northern Namibia.

Teachers are facing challenges of learners sleeping and skipping classes, while some are aggressive as they are under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Northern teachers have also complained that drug and alcohol usage among school learners has led to alarming instances of violence, with cases of undisciplined learners, gangsterism and fighting on school grounds. 

Several Life Skills’ teachers from the Oshana region said in a recent incident, a grade four learner at their school was caught red-handed with bags of whiskey imported from Angola. “Although we tried calling his parents to school, they never showed up. It is either they are not present in the child’s life, or [do not] know what he does,” lamented the teacher.

She further said that learner skipped school for a whole week.

She added that learners from grades six and seven are mostly the ones taking drugs to school.

“One of the seventh graders revealed that his father gives him [alcohol] to go sell to others. 

We are proud to say that we helped him by taking him for counselling, and it really helped,” she noted.

Maria Matheus, a teacher from a school in Oshakati, said there is an increase in the number of learners excessively indulging in drugs, which she described as a worrisome trend. “Such learners are normally noticeable, as they regularly display violent behaviour towards fellow learners, and even turning on us,” she continued.

She said learners sleep during lessons, can be aggressive, and sometimes pay scant attention during lessons.

It has furthermore been noted that many learners buy drugs with the pocket money they receive from their parents. 

“We have noticed that some parents have unknowingly become supporters of unbecoming habits and behaviour of their children,” she emphasised.

Oshikoto police commissioner Teopoline-Kalompo Nashikaku said parents should be blamed, since they do not report drug and alcohol abuse by their children. “We do not only arrest, but we give counselling, rehabilitation and other help. So, parents should start reporting to us so we can assist,” she advised.

Ohangwena police spokesperson Andreas Nghiyolwa said the use of drugs in schools is a problem in this region as well.

“If one child is taking drugs to school, 10 children would be easily influenced to take them. Parents can play a key part in teaching their children about alcohol and drug abuse by talking honestly and openly about the effects that alcohol and drugs can have on their health and schoolwork,” he stated.  Omusati police spokesperson Anna Kunga revealed that they recently arrested two learners and adult men for being in possession of drugs.  

“Those who sell drugs to learners and students apparently lie to them that it will facilitate with studying,’’ she said.

Meanwhile, Oshana police spokesperson Frieda Shikole said a learner from a local school was recently arrested for being in possession of drugs.

“If we want a healthy and clean society as well as productive youth, we should all stand up and accept the responsibility of protecting our youth from drug and alcohol abuse,” she urged.

She said violence is a clear testimony that drugs and alcohol have taken root within Namibian society, particularly in schools.

Executive director of the ministry of education Sanet Steenkamp said although nobody has reported to her about the selling of drugs within schools, the ministry will not tolerate the selling of substances on school grounds.

“There is no secret that substance abuse is a problem in our country. Until we have deliberate action within our households and neighbourhoods to curb this, our children will be exposed to such evil,” she observed.

She urged parents to be aware that the ministry will follow all due processes as contained in the Education Act to ensure the safety of children.

Steenkamp remarked that the ministry has a safe school framework, which indicates what action must be taken when teachers are faced with specific scenarios.

“I want to make it clear that we have a zero-tolerance policy for drugs, bullying and violence within our schools,’’ she reiterated. 

The ministry also has the ‘Keep Me Safe’ campaign for primary and secondary schools. She thus called on parents and teachers to be vigilant, and look out for specific signs within learners to detect the use of drugs and alcohol so that they can take swift action.

-vkaapanda@nepc.com.na