Schools to ban smoking, sex

Port Vila (PINA Nius) – Vanuatu’s Department of Education has promised to this year enforce a ban on alcohol consumption, smoking and sex by students in schools.

The director of school programs, Kalmele Matai, said tackling the issues is a priority high on the agenda of his department.

Matai spoke up to reply to a copy of the secondary schools disciplinary report listing 22 secondary schools which reported drinking, smoking and sex by students. The report also implicates one or two teachers in giving alcohol to their students or having sex with them.

The report was produced following the November conference by the principals of 22 secondary schools out of a total of 50.

A female teacher in one secondary school who has a record of missing classes was reported to be having an affair with a married man.

A principal in one school disappeared into the bush for half a night with one of his female students following his year 10 students’ end of the year party.

One teacher was reported to be molesting one of his male students.

Two expatriate male teachers who were living together as husband and wife were caught in the act near the school compound

A year 9 girl and a year 10 boy were expelled after being caught in the act, making young love.

According to the report, some schools treat drinking by students as a minor threat, saying it is part of the end of year celebrations. However, other schools restrict drinking in public in the school compound by the staff as it can be seen as promoting alcohol to the students.

A student at one school was still so drunk the next morning that he fell down during assembly.

Matai, who is himself a veteran educator, agreed that drinking has been increasing in schools throughout the country over the years.

Prior to independence, drinking was largely banned from New Hebrideans so school students in those days were not “alcohol minded”, he said.

He appealed to parents to help fight against drinking and smoking. He also asked the parents to advise their elder children against the risks of sex

Matai said there are established school rules for all the schools and they ban among other things drinking of alcohol, smoking and sex between students or their teachers.

The teachers are also guided by the staff rules, which direct their conduct especially in the presence of their students.

In spite of the rules, drinking, smoking and adultery and sexual activities have gone out of control in many schools because, Matai said, they have been ignored or allowed unabated for far too long.

Teamwork based on a sound communication network is essential to alert the principal of any misbehavior so that disciplinary action can be taken at the earliest possibility, he said.