Question no. 1180
Mrs N W A Michael (DA) to ask the Minister of Basic Education:
Whether any (a) primary and (b) high schools in each province were visited by the state or a non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the past three years with regard to substance abuse education and awareness; if not, (i) why not and (ii) which schools did not receive any awareness and education visits; if so, (aa) which schools received such visits, (bb) how often in each year and (cc) which grades were included in these visits?
Response:
Data on visits to schools to conduct substance abuse education and awareness is held at provincial level. A request was made to provinces to report on substance abuse education and awareness conducted in schools over the past three years.
Reports were received from six provinces (Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, North West, Free State, Western Cape and Mpumalanga). Responses received from provinces thus far are summarised in tables one of five. It must be noted that drug and substance use is one of the core components of the life orientation learning area implemented through the life skills HIV and AIDS programme. As such, drug and substance use awareness is covered in all schools as part of curriculum implementation.
In addition, in 2009 the national department undertook provincial visits to schools in the ministerial project on school safety. The visits monitored the implementation of school safety interventions including implementation of the drug testing guidelines. Information was also disseminated on drug and substance abuse and linkages with school safety.
For more information on substance abuse education and awareness visits conducted in schools 2008 to 2010, please follow the link: http://www.education.gov.za/dynamic/imgshow.aspx?id=3620.
Issued by: Department of Basic Education
19 April 2010
Source: Department of Basic Education (http://www.education.gov.za/)
