Mpumalanga Education calls for Siftokotile pupil suspension
The Mpumalanga Department of Education has called for the suspension of a Siftokotile Secondary School pupil in Matsulu after a video, showing the pupil consuming what seems to be an alcoholic beverage while in class, went viral.
In the video, the pupil is in full school uniform.
The Departments Gerald Sambo says it is not clear as to when the incident occurred.
"The Department takes a zero-tolerance approach to underage drinking and condemns this unacceptable behaviour that sets a bad example to other learners in the strongest terms possible.
"The Department has directed the school to submit a detailed report about the incident and to institute disciplinary proceedings against the learner concerned as a corrective measure in line with the South African Schools Act and the code for learners."
Sambo adds that the Department will also be sending a team of officials to the school to establish the extent of this challenge and to advise the school governing body on the steps to be taken to address this incident.
"The Department urges community members to be vigilant of underage drinking and to report any concerns to the authorities.
"Parental intervention is sought in this instance to bring sanity and discipline to their children.
Underage drinking is a serious problem that can lead to a number of negative consequences, such as health and mental problems, physical injuries, unsafe sexual behaviour, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and academic problems.
"The Department will be monitoring the developments on this matter very closely and will provide the necessary updates as the process unfolds."
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