WESSELSBRON – Learner leaders from three Monyakeng high schools took to the streets on Friday, 28 August, calling for urgent action on drug abuse, gang involvement, school dropouts and safety concerns affecting learners.
A total of 162 Representative Councils of Learners (RCL) members from Phateleng High School, Ithabeleng High School and Monyakeng High School participated in the peaceful march.
RCL members call for stronger support, safer schools and urgent repairs
The learners said the march was prompted by a growing number of pupils dropping out of school during the academic year, as well as an increase in drug use and gang involvement among young people.
In a memorandum handed over to government departments and law enforcement agencies, the RCL members called for greater support for learners and their families.
Among their demands was the deployment of social workers to schools to provide assistance to learners and families dealing with social and personal challenges.
The learners also called on the police to intensify efforts to stop the sale of drugs in and around schools.
They requested that the Department of Social Development provide regular drug-awareness programmes, counselling and support for learners struggling to stop using drugs.
The RCL further called for increased police patrols around schools during school hours, particularly to improve the safety of learners travelling to and from school.
The learners also want programmes aimed at helping young people leave gangs and reintegrate into their communities.
Sanitary products and school infrastructure
The memorandum included a call for free sanitary towels for all girl learners in Wesselsbron, with the learners saying no girl should miss school because she cannot afford sanitary products.
The RCL members also raised concerns about school infrastructure, calling for school buildings to be inspected and necessary repairs carried out.
They requested a written maintenance plan setting out which repairs are required, when they will be undertaken and how the work will be addressed.
The march highlighted the learners’ call for government departments, schools and law enforcement agencies to work together to address challenges that threaten both learners’ safety and their ability to remain in school.
The RCL members said addressing these issues would help create safer school environments and give learners a better opportunity to complete their education.for help
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