GERRIE FERREIRA writes:
I would be really upset if my child had to go from class to class to be able to go to a toilet.
It is also disruptive for the class where the keys are kept. I don’t know the other reasons for such drastic steps, but smoking should not be one of them.
It is not the school’s mandate to teach children not to smoke. They know the dangers attached to the habit and so do their parents.
Also read:
• Kempies sluit skool se toilette weens ongerymdhede
I used to smoke when I was at school, in fact even in primary school, and my parents knew about it.
If I do not smoke in public while in my school uniform, as plenty Kempie learners do, it has nothing to do with the school, or any other authority other than my parents and should be treated as such.
I had a child at Kempies and always felt that as long as a learner did not smoke but played rugby or hockey, they could pretty much do as they wish. A statement I made to Mr Burger when I dragged two young hooligans – but excellent rugby players and athletes – into his office by the scruffs of their necks, who called my daughter names.
I say again, stop worrying about smoking. It’s not in your mandate. Rather teach the boys some manners.
