Caption: Pockets of marijuana that was found today at the Lowveld High School premises today after an unannounced raid was conducted on the school. The raid was conducted in conjunction with the department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Education and SAPS. Schools should be drug-free zones- Sibuyi By staff reporter In order for effective learning and teaching to take place in schools, parents must assist government to make schools drug-free zones; this is according to Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison Head of Department Thulani Sibuyi. Sibuyi was speaking after a raid that was conducted at Lowveld High School in Nelspruit 19 July 2013. The raid, which was part of the ongoing Mandela Month activities led to the discovery of pockets of marijuana in school premises. The raid was conducted in collaboration with the department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Education and SAPS. “It is disturbing to find such in school premises as it affects the quality of learning and teaching in schools. Parents and government spend a considerable amount of money towards ensuring that qualitative education is provided and it would be painful to such efforts are being compromised due to disruptive elements that bring drugs to schools.” Thulani Sibuyi said. He added that parents also need to take charge and play meaningful role in their children’s education and not leave schooling matters entirely to the government. According to Sibuyi schools do not exist in isolation but exist in communities and therefore availability of drugs and other social ills are a reflection of the society within which schools exist. Therefore, the HOD said, all role-players need to come on board and assist government to combat substance abuse in schools. He said the initiative that the department took today should be intensified in order to eradicate drugs in schools. He has also called on the learners to take their education seriously as part of celebrating Dr. Mandela’s legacy. He said Mandela had always wanted education to be highly prioritized and he would be sad to see some of the learners compromising it for the sake of drugs. Sibuyi said more schools will be visited in the current financial year as this is part of the overall school safety programme of the Mpumalanga Government.