(from left) Bernard Kateguru, Leon Mwandiringa and Chenai Sakupwanya, winners of the Schools Public Speaking Competition
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
Drug and substance abuse is affecting the education system as students who are failing to cope with the pressures of learning, end up opting for this scourge.
This was revealed by a Mabvuku High School teacher, who gave opening remarks on behalf of his Headmaster at the Schools Public Speaking Competition on Wednesday, which was supported by Population Solutions for Health (PSH).
The competition which was hosted by Mabvuku High School, was part of PSH’s The Strength In You anti-drug and substance use campaign, which is supported by the Swedish Embassy.
Through this campaign, PSH is creating a movement that discourages drug use behaviour, as well as reducing demand for drugs.
The competition featured seven schools from Mabvuku and Tafara, as they debated on the drug and substance use topic.
“We have to talk about drug and substance abuse especially for the school going age groups.
“This issue of drug and substance abuse is affecting all of us, it is not leaving anyone behind.
“It has affected the education system very strongly and as a result of that, it is a very crucial issue that we must address,” said the teacher.
He added: “we are gathered here today not just to discuss a topic, but we are here to invest in the well-being of our future, to build a Zimbabwe that we want.
“And I think as school children, we all want a very happy and drug free Zimbabwe. We have seen around the nation, even the First Family is promulgating programmes that are against drug and substance abuse.
“Schools are struggling to make students come to terms with pressure of learning because those that are failing to cope, are using substances and that is not recommended.”
The teacher added that drug and substance abuse has very dire consequences on health hence affecting the students’ academic performances.
“That means the future of this country is at stake so we have to address it.
“As you debate today, as you are going to be putting forward your arguments, we wish that we explore the complexities of this issue, you delve into whatever can be done, whatever has happened and however we can address it, so that we inculcate in us the learners, a responsible model of behaviour so that we build today; what we expect to see tomorrow, the Zimbabwe that we want.
“For a supportive safe learning environment that promotes healthy choices and empower our youths, we want you to debate progressively and we as well want you to chat a better way forward so that you can bring forth ideas that even our DSI can take forward for policy makers that will be able to make our Zimbabwe the Zimbabwe that we want.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by another official who said the numbers of those abusing drugs and substances are alarming.
“The number of school children being affected is huge and we are saying it is a threat to national development because we cannot have our future pilots or doctors being drug users.
“So we are saying this issue of drug and substance abuse should be addressed now because it will give us problems in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile 14 students from seven schools battled it out in the public speaking and Bernard Kateguru (Tafara 1 High School), Leon Mwandiringa (Five Star College) and Chenai Sakupwanya (Mabvuku High School) won first, second and third place respectively.
