Is Your Child Safe? 10-Year-Old Caught with Cannabis in Primary School

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples of concern through the community, cannabis was discovered in the backpack of a ten-year-old girl attending a primary school in the East of Mauritius. This alarming incident, which occurred on Monday, 31 March, has ignited a fierce debate among parents and educators alike, highlighting the insidious reach of drug-related issues even among the youngest members of society. While these children may not be users themselves, the mere presence of such substances in their environment raises grave concerns.

The news of this discovery has left many parents in disbelief, while others lament what they perceive as an inevitable decline in societal values, exacerbated by the increasing normalisation of risky behaviours among the youth of Mauritius.

Vinod Seegum, an educator and negotiator for the Government Teachers Union (GTU), expressed his dismay at the deteriorating situation within schools.

“What was once confined to secondary education has now seeped into primary schools. Children are influenced by their older siblings or friends from college, and they seek to emulate these behaviours. It is deeply troubling,” he stated.

Seegum further lamented that despite the efforts of teachers and school leaders to raise awareness, these initiatives appear insufficient in the face of such a growing menace.

He pointed out that society is evolving within an increasingly competitive framework.

“Even after the abolition of the Certificate of Primary Education, parents continue to prioritise academic success above all else, often at the expense of instilling core values.

Some believe that teachers should focus solely on academic instruction, disregarding other essential aspects of education.

Education in Schools

While it is difficult to blame them entirely, the educational system perpetuates this mindset.”

Seegum advocated for the mandatory inclusion of human values education in schools, suggesting that this could be integrated into morning assemblies without disrupting the academic schedule.

He proposed involving parents, as well as former magistrates, lawyers, doctors, and educators in this initiative.

He recalled that in the 1990s, resources on human values were available but have since been neglected.

“Today, we must invest in a motivation allowance for teachers. By providing financial incentives, we can encourage them to prepare and deliver lessons on respect, camaraderie, and other vital values.

It is crucial for children to understand the dangers of drugs and witness firsthand how they can devastate lives.”

This sentiment is echoed by Vishal Baujeet, president of the GTU, who poses critical questions:

“Who bears the responsibility? The parents? The school? Society? Does the child truly comprehend what they are carrying? Are they merely mimicking what they observe?”

He underscored the necessity of civic education. Drawing parallels with France, where students’ bags are searched each morning to prevent the introduction of drugs or dangerous items into schools, he acknowledged the potential effectiveness of such measures but warned against the risk of stigmatisation.

“We must also consider the psychological impact. Imagine a child falsely accused of stealing a pencil found in their bag. Being subjected to the scrutiny of peers can be traumatic.”

Baujeet believes that the police should intensify their outreach campaigns to educate students.

“We need to engage with them, spark their curiosity so they can grasp the dangers surrounding them and discuss these issues with their families.”

Other grassroots actors, such as Fardeen Koodoruth, president of the Castel Scouts – Social Youth Team, advocate for sport as a means of positive influence.

“Sport captivates the youth; we must leverage it to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs.

Over the past seven years, we have organised 28 football tournaments without any political support.

We are making progress through our own efforts.” Koodoruth also highlights initiatives aimed at those disinterested in sports.

“We have observed that many young people find fulfilment in helping others. By assigning them social roles, we provide them with opportunities to gain self-worth and develop.”

A Government Plan in Motion

In response to this pressing issue, the Minister of Education, Mahend Gungapersad, has devised a plan aimed at safeguarding students from the perils of drug use. Key measures include:

• Strengthening institutional collaborations with the police, the Family Protection Brigade, and the Child Development Unit.
• Assisting students in better managing their emotions through the implementation of a social and emotional well-being programme.
• Establishing pastoral support committees to aid students facing difficulties.
• Ensuring that disciplinary committees take appropriate action against students involved in acts of indiscipline or violence.

As the drug problem increasingly affects younger children, the urgency for a concerted effort combining education, prevention, and support has never been more critical.

Source: l’Express