OTJIWARONGO: The Tsaraxa-Aibes Combined School in Otjiwarongo on Tuesday invited the Namibian Police (NamPol) to address its school learners alleged to be involved in vandalising school properties, gangsterism and alcohol abuse.

Its school principal, Wilfriedtine Naobes told Nampa in an interview on Tuesday that it was necessary for the NamPol officers to talk to the learners before the school could get out of control since the school has a lot of in-disciplined learners.

She said most of those problem learners at her school are from broken home families and some do not live with any of their own parents.

“They are the ones abusing alcohol after school hours and involved in gang activities and cigarette smoking,” she stressed.

Naobes even said that teenage pregnancy at her school is already a concern.

Therefore, on Tuesday morning two female police constables, Ntumba Likoko and Martha Kayofa from the Otjiwarongo community police division were at the Tsaraxa-Aibes Combined School to conduct a public awareness campaign.

Constable Kayofa presented to the learners here about how to behave at school and encouraged them to refrain from abusing alcohol and other drugs as well as keeping dangerous objects.

She said that any crime according to the police force in Namibia is a concern and it has to be addressed.

“As a learner you must be disciplined and refrain from any kind of uncalled for behaviours,” noted Kayofa.

Using cannabis and other prohibited drugs inside school premises and out of school yards is a serious crime by law, she said.

Kayofa said that the use of alcohol substance to people under-18-years is not allowed at all, and it is a punishable crime by law to a fine of N.dollars 2 000 according to the Liquor Act, Act no. 6 of 1998.

“To you carrying dangerous sharp objects like knives, screw drivers and firearms at this school yard be aware that it is not allowed and if we catch you in possession of it you will be arrested, charged and brought before the court of law,” warned Kayofa.

Kayofa also discussed the different types of crimes with learners of Tsaraxa-Aibes Combined School who had gathered at their school assembly point.

She said according to NamPol’s Amended Act of 1999, Act no. 3 of 1999 Section 4, the police will arrest any person who commits murder, public violence and rape.

She advised the learners to abstain from offences like malicious damage to properties, culpable homicide, indecent assault, assault with intent to cause grievous body harm, breaking in a building with intent to commit an offence and robbery amongst others.

At the end of her presentation, learners were also given chance to ask questions.

A 16-year-old learner (girl) in Grade 8, Ndinelao Severin asked if abortion was still a crime in Namibia.

“Yes abortion is still a serious crime in Namibia,” replied constable Kayofa.

Angeloeu !Gaoseb, 16, (boy) in Grade 9 also wanted to know if fighting someone in self-defense while a learner was a crime.

Kayofa answered: “As long as you are at school and you are a learner you are prohibited from fight other learners. If you feel that your fellow learner has offended you or provoked you report him or her to your school teacher or principal. It is not a waste of time that’s what the law says,” she said.

Tsaraxa-Aibes Combined School is situated in the middle of the Tsaraxa-Aibes township in Otjiwarongo in the Otjozondjupa Region.

The school gives classes from Grade One to Grade 10, to its 1034 learners.