MARIJUANA and cigarette smoking are the of the common reasons for the continued suspension and expulsion of high school students from boarding schools in the Western Province.
A number of reports obtained by Solomon Star reveal that High School students at boarding schools in the province continue to be suspended or expelled due to their excessive smoking of marijuana and cigarettes.
When students are caught, they get suspended. However, if they get caught again, then they get expelled from school.
This week another high school in North New Georgia expelled a couple of students after they were caught smoking marijuana.
Last month, a school on Kolombangara expelled six students for alcohol consumption. There are reports that this school also suspended students for smoking cigarettes.
A teacher at one of the rural boarding schools told Solomon Star that the use of copen, smoking of marijuana and alcohol consumption are now a growing problem.
“It’s a challenge facing many schools,” the teacher who declined to be named said.
It was revealed that most of these students get hooked on drug and alcohol while still at the primary school level or at the urban centres like Gizo, Noro, Munda and worst still, some got addicted at their own homes.
“So, when they move to a boarding school, they continue the practice because they are already hooked on these bad practices,” the teacher said.
The teacher said at rural boarding schools, students sneak out into the bushes or to the beach to smoke and consume alcohol.
Apart from this, a problem affecting many young female students now is teenage pregnancy and it denies them of completing their education.
“Female students are being expelled because of pregnancy.”
Meanwhile, the teacher said there are students who continue to value their education and keep themselves away from such activities.
“If only students can think about their future and education, they will not involve in such activities. Peer pressure is a major problem affecting many students nowadays,” the teacher added.
By MOFFAT MAMU
