Pupils have been warned that vapes (e-cigarettes) will be treated as an illegal substance on school premises.
In a letter issued by the Marine Primary School in Ocean View. last week, principal Wayne Lawrence, cautioned parents that any learner found in possession of a vape would face severe disciplinary action, tantamount to being caught with drugs, after the school noted a startling number of pupils buying the products in recent months.
Also read: Fish Hoek High’s diversity programme suspended following racism saga
According to the school, pupils are buying vapes for between R85 and R100 in the community.
The letter pointed out that while vapes were not tobacco cigarettes, they were still a prohibited item on school premises and would not be tolerated.
“Should any learner be caught in possession and/or using vapes on the school premises, it will be dealt with in the same manner as bringing an illegal substance to school,” read the letter from the school. “Parents, please speak to your children and report any adult that sells these products to children.”
The perceived rise in the number of learners caught in possession of e-cigarettes has also proved cause for concern for the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
“While our safe schools reports indicate that there have been five cases of e-cigarettes possession or use in schools between January and September 2022, compared to one case in the same period last year, these statistics are not generally an accurate reflection of the use and possession of e-cigarettes in schools,” said WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond. “Therefore, the age of ‘vape’ use in schools is not known, nor necessarily reported.”
“School governing bodies are encouraged to ensure that the use of e-cigarettes/vapes is considered in their codes of conduct, if they have not already done so.”
Meanwhile Ocean View CPF chairperson Mansoer Ismail told IOL they have engaged with the principal of the school on the issue.
“He confirmed he sent the letter to parents,” said Ismail. “He fears that if he allows it, the children will bring cigarettes and drugs to the school premises.”
“He confiscated three of the items from the learners. We are a gang-infested area, that is a problem for us, also in our schools. But we are going to take this further up with the police and they must deal with this.”
Also read:
Suffocating planet! The environmental implications of the vaping industry
Photo: Pexels