Call to ban 'pens down' parties
As the Class of 2023 wraps up their final exams, there are calls for so-called pens down parties to be banned.
A similar bash ended in tragedy in the Eastern Cape last year when 21 young people died while celebrating the end of their mid-year exams at an East London tavern.
The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal wants Education MEC Mbali Frazer to prohibit these parties.
ALSO READ: MEC Mbali Frazer warns students against ‘pens down’ parties
The party's chief whip in the Provincial Legislature, Thembeni KaMadhlopha-Mthethwa, has told MPLs these celebrations often cause harm.
"Precautionary measures are better than to sit and relax becuase at the end of the day we find a number of boys and girls killed. We say we need to over-emphasise this issue to the MEC and demand that this be stopped."
The South African Democratic Teachers Union believes pupils should be allowed to celebrate milestones.
But provincial secretary, Nomarashiya Caluza, says they understand the safety concerns being raised.
"It is fair for parents and all elders to be concerned, but truly speaking, there is no one who can't celebrate [milestones]. I understand the situation and that feeling that I have made it – I’ve just written my last paper. But [there needs to be some level] of control to ensure that celebrations are within parameters that are acceptable to the community and to the parents.”
MORE ON ECR
