Learners no longer respect school uniform, says concerned parent

“It has always been my understanding that the school is responsible for students on the way to school and from it,” says Zulu.

“Whilst on my way to work, every morning and afternoon, I witnessed several students from schools around Springs smoking in their uniforms.”

She says with the first encounter she advised them to go around the corner so that bypassers, including parents and teachers, couldn’t see them.

However, they told her that it has nothing to do with the school as they were not standing directly in front of the gates but outside the neighbouring houses and street corners.

Zulu says she took it up with several residents who advised her that nowadays schools are not responsible and would deliver no sanctions unless it was on the school grounds.

“It’s wrong regardless of one’s age – a uniform must be respected at all times.”

“A scholar smoking while wearing a school uniform shows signs of disrespect and other deeply rooted problems from peer pressure to adolescence.”

Another concerned parent, Linda Vilakazi, says it’s not only about peer pressure but the children’s upbringing also plays a role in how they turn out.

“Parents let their children get away with everything hence it is hard for another parent to reprimand children when they’re doing wrong,” says Linda.

“Unfortunately we don’t teach our children to smoke but we as parents can work together to minimise that.”

Vilakazi says when he grew up no one taught him about the dangers of smoking. It was just a personal decision not to associate himself with smokers.

“It also goes back to the ‘self’ and knowing when to draw the line when faced with peer pressure.”