Africa-Press – Botswana. The National Children’s Council (NCC) has embarked on a campaign which seeks to put into effect section 60 of Children’s Act in a bid to address dug use in schools and close gaps that allow such.
Speaking during the campaign held at Mater Spei College in Francistown on Tuesday, the council’s vice chairperson, Kgosi George Thwane of Artesia said the aim was to engage with learners in discussions on section 60 which state that anyone who exposed a child to drugs was guilty of the offence.
Kgosi Thwane said it was about time the Children’s Act was put to use as it took precedence over the penal code which had always been adopted.
What was worrisome, he said was that illegal drugs continued to reach schools, leading to the rising number of drug abuse cases.
Kgosi Thwane said the campaign was a pilot project which started at Gaborone Senior School (GSS), and would help identify gaps in a bid to eliminate drugs even beyond the school environment.
Furthermore, Kgosi Thwane encouraged parents take responsibility by guarding against drugs use by students.
Director Public Education Outreach from Drug Enforcement Agency, Mr Motshereganyi Sefanyetso cautioned students to reject drugs which had the potential to destroy their future.
He said common drugs found in Botswana included marijuana and mathcathinone commonly known as cat as well as crack cocaine.
Social Worker from Francistown Council Ms Kelebogile Ntesa shared with learners the role of social workers, which she said included seeing how best to help children in the event they had been violated or when in conflict with the law.
She also indicated that social workers ensured protection and safety of children.
The NCC campaign on section 60, will also spread to other parts of the country with the aim of reaching out different school in the country.
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