Dominican Convent High School has expelled eight Form six students with immediate effect for violating the school’s drug policy.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, the institution which is the oldest school in Harare told parents that investigations are ongoing adding that more could be found guilty. Reads the statement dated 26 January 2023:
Dear parents/guardians
EXCLUSION OF STUDENTS FROM DOMINICAN CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL HARARE
I write on a sad note to notify you that the 8 girls we had put on suspension pending Investigations on an incident that took place at the 2023 U6 leadership camp which was held in Nyanga from the 12th to the 15th of January, have been excluded from the school with immediate effect. The disciplinary committee exercised all principles of procedural fairness and found the girls guilty of violating the school drug policy. (see the school website for details)
My heart aches for these girls and their parents but my duty of care is to ensure that the school environment is, as far as is practicable, safe and free from all risks. I have a responsibility to the whole school community and possessing, using or supplying a restricted substance including vaping is not acceptable. Investigations are still ongoing and we will not hesitate to weed out any more culprits to sanitise the school space.
I pray that the girls will receive the rehabilitation they need and that ALL parents take an active role, in partnership with the school, to modify the inappropriate behaviour of their children. I believe that school officials’ efforts to protect students from the dangers of substance abuse are sometimes hampered by parents and community members in denial about the pervasiveness of the problem and the potential for any child to succumb to the lures of drugs.
I appeal to parents to be more vigilant and active by refining their parenting skills and being aware of their children’s activities as our investigations show that the pervasive behaviour started at home.
I will keep you posted on any further developments. Be blessed.
Yours sincerely
Sr Kudzai Mutsure O. P.
Dominican Convent is a private Catholic day school for girls.