Amanzimtoti school grapples with cellphone thefts

A LOCAL high school is grappling with the problem of cellphone thefts, and while parents fear school authorities are not doing enough to quell the tide of theft, the school paints a different picture.

Parents, who all asked to go unnamed so their children remain free of association, took up the issue of cellphone theft with the school before approaching the Sun.

A parent shared her incident of theft at Kingsway High School (KHS), after her daughter’s phone was stolen. She suspected it was taken out of her blazer pocket, which had been draped over the back of her chair. She was frustrated by the response to her situation, as she believed the school was not doing enough to deal with the problem.

Another parent also shared details about her incident of theft.

“My child had been in grade 8 for a week and his phone was stolen out of his bag on 15 January, while he was at swim training. I tried endlessly to contact the school to see some kind of resolution to the matter,” she said.
A third parent said her son was changing for sport in the changeroom, along with many other pupils when his phone was taken from his bag, which had been placed on a bench.

“I was informed telephonically by the grade head immediately. I went to the school and was shown CCTV footage but there are no cameras in the changerooms, only the entrance. We now padlock my son’s bag to keep his compulsory tablet safe,” she said.

“I think the school can do much more. A lockdown with bag searches should take place as soon as an incident occurs. KHS is still a great school, it’s just unfortunate this sort of thing is taking place.”

A fourth parent explained her son’s cellphone was stolen last term, along with another which was stolen in 2018.

“The school checked cameras, found the thief and removed him from the school,” she said.

KHS principal, Sandra du Toit explained the school’s response to the thefts, and highlighted efforts being made to ensure the crimes are dealt with accordingly.

“KHS, like most schools in South Africa, has installed cameras in all classrooms for the safety and security of both our pupils and staff. In recent weeks we identified, through the use of camera footage, items like money and cellphones being stolen.

Parents of the pupils (involved in the theft of phones) have been called in and shown the footage. The thieves have been asked to leave the school. We are doing our utmost to clamp down on theft. Unfortunately, you will find theft at most high schools.”

She said at the end of last year, the school advised parents and pupils that cellphones would ideally not be allowed at school.

“We rather urge pupils to use tablets without SIM cards for e-learning, to focus on academics and not social media. In many cases, when a cellphone has been reported stolen, it is generally handed into the office, after being found in a bathroom or on the field, among other places. In most cases, the pupils are walking away from their valuables, be it in bags, blazers and so on.

The responsibility of looking after valuables lies with the owner. We understand the parents’ frustration, however in the case that pupils simply must have cellphones at school, there are cellphone lockers available for children’s use,” she said.

The school explained the office has a phone through which pupils can contact their parents. The school makes this alternative form of communication accessible so as to motivate pupils to leave their cellphones at home. If parents wish to contact their children, they can do so through the office, which relays messages to pupils. If the office is closed, pupils will be assisted by a teacher or coach, to contact their parents if the need arises.

Kuswag Skool’s principal, Chris Lindeque said his school doesn’t frequently experience cellphone theft.

Amanzimtoti High School (AHS) said while the theft of cellphones does take place, it is not common. “Theft of any kind is a serious offence and is dealt with according to our code of conduct,” said AHS principal, Louise Lemmer.

“We have not found it to be a growing problem. If lost phones are found they are most often handed in at the office. Many pupils have trackers on their phones, which helps to locate them.”

Lemmer further explained AHS’s policy with regards to cellphones at the school and reasoning for it.

“Pupils are allowed to bring phones to school, however during school hours they must be turned off and out of sight. Pupils can lock their phones away in their lockers.

“We are more concerned about pupils being targeted when they walk home and have their cellphones visible, either playing on them or listening to music. Having their phones out makes them vulnerable and easy targets for muggers,” she said.

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