Protesting KZN high school pupils demand smoke breaks

[Binary_Bark]

Roseville Secondary School pupils in Umzinto, KwaZulu-Natal, have refused to attend classes because they are demanding a designated smoking area on school grounds, which the provincial education department has denounced.
On Thursday, provincial education spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa told News24 if their demands were to be met it would be a world first.
"We are not aware of any other country in the world that would even consider such a request.
"Our attitude to smoking is that it cannot add anything to the health [of pupils] or the quality of learning. It will lead to a total breakdown of discipline at the school, let alone the impact on the pupils," Mthethwa said.

More At: https://m.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/protesting-kzn-high-school-pupils-demand-smoke-breaks-20190822

 

[Flanders]

Things sure have changed around here.

 

[PoppieChoffel]

Just when you thought the youth of today couldn't possibly get more entitled

 

[Arthur]

It's time to drop this puritanical opposition to smoking at school.

Why not allow it, for heaven's sake?

After all, until the mid-1960s some (white) government high schools in SA allowed matrics to smoke. In Joburg, KES, St John's (a private school) and Parktown had Prefects Smoking Rooms.

Until the late 70s many Canadian high schools allowed smoking during recess. It was not unusual to see students and teachers smoking together. Neither was it uncommon in England and Australia, and some parts of the USA.

In the 1980s I visited friends near Munich, and the local high school allowed smoking during break. It was no big deal.

Surely we enlightened moderns can leave the decision to high school seniors.

Roseville Secondary School should designate a pupils smoking area near the cabbage patch.

 

[borro]

Most important is to not make them angry. Give them a place to smoke.

 

[ForceFate]

Daf...?

 

[Milano]

The smoking area should ideally serve liquor so might as well make it a bar while they're at it.

 

[Vrotappel]

The smoking area should ideally serve liquor so might as well make it a bar while they're at it.

With strippers.

 

[Bewlen]

Perfectly sums up the sheer comic madness that is everyday life in this country.

 

[S7wede]

I can give you a bit more insight into what is happening as they are one of our neighbors. It's not as cut and dry as the article wants to make it out to be. While the students have made some demands, they are being coached by some members of the faculty that are unhappy at the current state of affairs regarding management and the appointment of HOD posts.

 

[Knyro]

While I don't have any moral opposition to it I wouldn't like to be a non-smoking pupil in reeking classrooms all day. That smell stays on your clothes no matter what smokers say/techniques they use.

Ever been in a smoker's car? Or house?

Don't mind it at braais, restaurants etc. But all day everyday when you're trying to pay attention? Nope.

 

[SaiyanZ]

One way to remain in poverty is to spend what little you have on cigarettes.

 

[WAslayer]

Sure.. let's give in to their demands.. let them have smoke breaks.. it's not like younger kids don't want to do what they see older kids doing..

Next thing you know, primary school pupils are protesting for their smoke breaks too...

Carry on enabling entitlement, after all, the toilet with this floater country has already been flushed and it won't be long until we disappear down the waste pipe..

 

[Zoomzoom]

they are smoking anyway giving them a place do it isn't going to suddenly turn non-smokers into smokers like POOF

 

[Azg]

Cigarettes, lighters, matches, fire - not going to end well.

 

[Lucas Buck]

While they're at it they may as well have private spaces designated for student sex sessions equipped with beds,contraceptives and condoms. They're having sex anyway, may as well reduce the possibility of teenage pregnancy and hiv.

 

[RedViking]

" It will lead to a total breakdown of discipline at the school, let alone the impact on the pupils,"


Should we tell him? He is two decades too late?

 

[RedViking]

We had a designated smoking area in school. The bathroom.

So what they actually are asking for is if they can please have bathrooms.

Shocking that some schools still don't have basic facilities.

 

[Ponderer]

But ... but ... but what about their human rights.
All humans must have the right to do exactly what they want.

FFS

 

[Nithan15]

Is it that difficult and stressful to reach that 30% to pass.............it is still 30% or has it dropped further?