Africa-Press – Namibia. THE police have warned Kuisebmond Secondary School pupils at Walvis Bay that if they are found with weapons on the school’s premises, criminal cases will be opened against them.
Police officers this week addressed the pupils on the social ills affecting the town. The intervention was initiated by the school’s life-skills teacher, Josephine Iyambo, who said it is important to engage with the pupils early in the school year to minimise potential issues.
Sergeant Paul Ndishishi told the pupils the community is unsettled by often seeing a police vehicle parked outside the school.
“They come to our stations and ask what is going on. We tell them about the criminal activities going on here.
“We have confiscated things like pangas, hammers and knives from pupils on the schoolgrounds in the past.
“Teachers and pupils are not safe, because the pupils are carrying knives. Bullying especially is an offence.
“We used to give warnings and call parents, but this time we will register cases, and you will be prosecuted. This year we do not want to pick up weapons from this school,” Ndishishi said.
He said the school was already experiencing problems.
“Just two weeks ago of whisky was found in the toilets.
“The behaviour of the pupils, especially those coming from primary school, could become a problem if we do not talk to them early.
“They come with the perception that they are now grown, and we do not want it to get worse. Anything can happen on school-grounds,” he said. The town’s residents have already been shaken by the news that primary school pupils are involved in serious criminal activities.
“The community is informing us that pupils are visiting places where they buy whisky from Angolans, Zimbabweans and some Namibians in their school uniforms.
“We have already found empty whisky containers in the toilets. We will arrest you, and those who are sending you.”
Ndishishi said teachers and pupils are not supposed to be friends.
“Some teachers are abusing their power and it must be stopped . . . stop standing in corners with pupils touching them. They are sent to school to learn.
“Pupils, especially those in grades 11 and 12, should stop putting pressure on teachers. Some even go as far as proposing to teachers. You are children,” he said.
Pupils were told where they should seek help from the police and community educators.
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