High School Students In KZN Demand A Smoke Break. Students of Roseville Secondary School in Umzinto, KwaZulu-Natal, requested for a smoke break every day.
Students of Roseville Secondary School in Umzinto, KwaZulu-Natal, requested for a smoke break every day. However, the educational authorities in the province are not allowing it. According to Sowetan Live, the students wanted the supposed smoke break to take place within 8am and 9am at an appointed place within the school grounds. The students also spoke about other issues they have with the school’s administration, which concluded in the students not coming to school last week.
The students went on a protest thereafter. The provincial education spokesperson, Kwazi Mthethwa spoke about the matter. The spokesperson says they won’t negotiate with the students. “We are not going to be held to ransom by kids. They are supposed to be in class learning, and we will not negotiate with them. They cannot tell us how to run a department. We are not going to allow this kind of behaviour to flourish at schools. We do not promote such behaviour from our learners and we stand firm against anyone who does this,” says Kwazi Mthethwa.
The provincial education spokesperson says the department wanted the students to have a healthy life and that includes not smoking. The Post newspaper said that students outlined their requests in two videos. One of the video recordings supposedly showed a student strolling past the staff room while smoking. The school was shut after the protest last week. Students thus omitted two exam papers. KZN Parents’ Association affiliate, Vee Gani says the request of the students were inappropriate.
by Alexandra Ramaite
