Pretoria – Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet has urged learners to stay away from drugs as it destroys families and society.
Kiviet, who on Wednesday visited Chapman High School in the Northern Area of Port Elizabeth to hand over the school’s security fencing project, turned her attention on drug use as the school is in a crime ridden area where drug usage is rife.
“I have seen a number of brilliant people who could have been successful in life going to the ruins because of drugs, some of them cannot do anything for themselves as they are brain damaged…if people want to sell you drugs, tell them to go away and inform the police,” Kiviet warned learners.
She also commended the learners for their discipline, respect and dedication to their studies, despite the challenging environment they are living under.
“Although you come from poor households, your school is doing exceptional and producing good results, it’s important for other schools to observe and learn from what you do to,” said Kiviet.
Chapman High School, which has an enrollment of over 1000 learners, obtained a 93 percent pass rate during 2010 Grade 12 exams.
The 620 metres security fencing Kiviet promised to erect cost R179 000 and through her discretionary fund, an air conditioner for the schools computer lab was also provided.
Kiviet urged learners to look after the fence as it will protect them against criminal elements who might want to sell them drugs.
“We don’t want to come here and find this fence down, we don’t want to come here and find the air conditioner not working, preserve what you have so that we can intervene in other schools.” – BuaNews
