Many local teachers, especially those teaching in the local private schools, have raised concerns to the Laudium Sun about the increasing number of learners involved in vaping, especially younger learners in the lower grades of the schools.
This follows a number of teachers complaining, over the past few months, to the Laudium Sun about their learners addicted to the unhealthy habit-forming vaping and to make matters worse, vaping in school. Teachers claim that the local CPF does not seem to be interested in tackling the problem, as many of the kids are related to CPF members.
Shockingly, another concern raised by some of teachers, is the increased number of complaints of bullying, especially at the private schools in the area. A parent from the private security estate of Eldo Glen, who did not want his name to be published to protect the identity of his daughter, who is in grade 7 at an Islamic school in Laudium, told the Laudium Sun this past Monday (May 19), “My daughter is terrified, as she is being bullied by a group of three girls. The ring-leader of the three is the daughter of one on the parents who is on the School Governing Body. I brought the matter up with the teacher towards the end of last year, while my child was still in grade 6, when the first incident of bullying took place. But the teacher was afraid to take the matter up with the parent, as the parent was part of the Governing Body and apparently a big donor to the school. As the year was ending I left the matter, thinking that the bullying would go away as the kids grow older, but this year, the same group of girls started to bully my daughter again. I then complained to the teacher who was different to the one from last year. The teacher promised to call the parents of all three girls, but a month passed and nothing was done. I then contacted the principal of the school who promised to deal with the matter, but to date nothing has been done to address the issue of bullying. My daughter said that these three girls were also responsible for bullying other kids in the school and that even the teachers are afraid to confront the girls, for fear of losing their jobs, because of the connection the one girl’s father has with the school. It is so wrong that an Islamic school practises such discrimination. I am now considering removing my daughter from the school, but I think it is so unfair and the issue of bullying will just continue.”
Teachers say that when brought to the attention of parents of those learners vaping and bullying, the parents remain in denial mode and in fact become aggressive towards the teachers and threaten to get them fired from the school. However, one of the schools which has opened up about bullying at their school and their learners vaping in school, is the private Al Ghazali College in Erasmia. While the Laudium Police and its CPF remain silent on the matter, the Erasmia Police have confirmed that they are aware of complaints of bullying and vaping, amongst learners schooling in the area.
This follows Erasmia’s SAPS Social Crime Unit, under their Station Commander, Lt Col PC Madonsela, conducting a ‘school safety talk’ at Al Ghazali College the previous Monday, after the school’s management complained about vaping and bullying at the school. A presentation was done by members of the SAPS to address the issue. Leaners were told to stop, with immediate effect, from bringing the vapes to school.
Sgt Shaai, Social Crime Coordinator from the Erasmia Police told the Laudium Sun, “The police explained and warned the learners that they were not allowed to bring any illegal substances to the school, as it was against the law. Leaners were also sensitized regarding their health when using vapes. They were informed that it is harmful to use vapes, especially at their age. The issue of bullying was also touched on and leaners were told to refrain from bullying each other. Everything went well, with the belief that the leaners would behave and refrain from the activities that are uncalled for. The School Principal appreciated the presence of the SAPS members and suggested regular visits by SAPS members to the school.”