BEING at school for over a decade can be a roller coaster ride for young people.
When the end is finally in sight, many feel the need to celebrate writing their final exams.
For years, matrics have been holding pens down celebrations but this practice has also attracted a lot of criticism with cases of pupils getting raped, injured or losing their lives.
Some are now calling for pens down parties to be stopped.
The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) in KZN has joined the calls, asking education MEC Mbali Frazer to ban the festivities.
IFP education portfolio spokeswoman Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa said with an increase in cases of human trafficking and GBV, pens down events should be permanently abolished.
She said these events were often associated with substance abuse, leaving young people vulnerable.
“This year, the exams begin tomorrow, 31 October, and end in early December.
“In anticipation, entertainment venues such as clubs and taverns are bracing themselves for hosting these pens down events,” she said.
“Unfortunately, the outcomes of these events have proved harmful to pupil with some having their dreams shattered for just a few hours of entertainment,” she said.
Madlopha-Mthethwa said although the completion of exams was something to celebrate, the party was urging pupils to put safety first as they had their entire lives ahead of them.
The KZN Education Department confirmed it had sent letters to all schools in the province urging them not to host such events.
During a media briefing held by the KZN education department recently, chief director of examinations and assessment Ray Penniston confirmed that letters were sent out to all schools in the provinceurging them not to host such events.
