Peer pressure is one of the worst prolems that children find themslves struggling with nowadya. This can result in loss of life if those involved are not cautious enough...
It is not my intention to raise people's emotions especially those who lost their loved ones at Matsha College in 2003. I am sending a positive message for the current and future children of Botswana because they are our future leaders...
On the 17 September, 2003 it was reported by BOPA that at least five students of Matsha Community College in Kang died and eight others were in critical condition after allegedly drinking a concentrated alcohol chemical called methonol.
The then director of Secondary Education Rueben Motswakae told BOPA in an interview that so far 13 students have been admitted in different hospitals in the country, eight of them in critical condition.
He said five students were air lifted to Princess Marina Hospital while one student was admitted at Jwaneng Hospital and the other at Mabutsane Primary Hospital. Three students were admitted at Hukuntsi hospital in stable conditions.
The deceased who were boarders came from the villages of Bobonong, Salajwe, Lokgwabe, Hukuntsi and Rakops. Their names have been withheld pending notification of the next of kin.
Motswakae said over 30 students received treatment at Kang clinic, adding that the number was likely increase as more students were coming forward with the information that they took the chemical.
He said the tragedy unfolded on a Saturday when some students at the school got into the Agricultural and Science Laboratory and stole methanol and pethyl-acetate chemicals that were said to 100 percent alcohol concentrated.
The reason for stealing the chemical was solely to get drunk, he said, adding that some diluted the chemical with coffee while others used water. This could be attributed to peer pressure...
Motswakae said some students started complaining of dizziness on a Sunday but did not report to the school authorities, as they were scared.
However, it was only on a Monday when the situation became serious that the school authorities knew about the matter after spotting one student walking naked in the school premises. The student was sent home to Mabutsane, as he appeared drunk.
The same day five students approached the authorities confessed to having stolen chemicals from the lab and drinking them to get high.
The five were rushed to Hukuntsi Hospital but two died on the way and three died later after arrival. Motswakae said the condition of the student who was sent home is not yet known and the police have been asked to trace him and advise him to go to hospital.
What can you say about this? Can children avoid peer pressure or resist it to save their lives?
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2 comments:
Ben,
Thanks for the blog. It looks good accept for the boobs advert at the end of the blog. Indeed peer pressure is a problem for children. I believe the solution is to ensure that we have life skills training programs that will help children manage peer relationships. Communication at home also remains very crucial to give a child platform to air their worries and views. This gives them a sense of security and reduces the need for them to feel that they need to belong or proove themselves. My daughter said to me that the peer pressure can be so strong that you think the parent is the one who is crazy, not your friends. doro
Thanks a lot Dorothy for your kind words. I hope that we will work together on these issues.
Cheers.
BMS
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