12 Nov 2015

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Shaw Kgathi has told Parliament that the Botswana Police Service has a police-school liaison under the Police Crime Prevention Strategy. 

He said in the programme, the police work with guidance and counselling teachers in schools to address crime related matters including drugs and substance abuse. 

The minister further said  the programme, which also involves Parents Teachers Associations (PTA), has facilitated the formation of anti-crime clubs in schools for purposes of crime prevention as well as drug rehabilitation. Mr Kgathi said in support of the Botswana Police Service, the Prisons and Rehabilitation Department has a school and youth reach-out programme known as ‘My Career My Future.’

He said the objective of the programme was to showcase the effects of imprisonment on one’s life as a result of all forms of crime, including drug abuse. 

Mr Kgathi said between 2012 and 2015, a total of 128 primary and junior secondary schools were covered across the country in Bobirwa, Kweneng, Ghanzi and the Central District. He explained that  the programme was continuing with the aim to cover more schools.

 “I should highlight that drugs and substance abuse in schools requires a multisectoral support system from teachers, parents and the community, who sometimes have information about peddlers and or habitual users.

Kanye South MP, Mr Abram Kesupile had wanted to know whether the minister would consider introducing a police-school liaison service to maintain effective and friendly interaction of the police counselling service with students in view of the rising levels of indiscipline, drugs and alcohol abuse in secondary schools. Ends