Students of Classes 8, 9 and 10—both boys and girls—in several schools in Bengaluru were found carrying condoms, contraceptives, alcohol, cigarettes and whiteners in their bags, reports said on Wednesday. The shocking facts were revealed after school authorities conducted a surprise check of students' bags following a direction from the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS).
According to reports, KAMS had asked schools to examine students' bags mainly to prevent the cell phone use in schools. The outcome, however, was beyond what they had expected.
The school managements have decided to keep the information confidential and arrange counselling for the students and their parents. The students, from whom the substances were recovered, were also allowed 10 days' leave, reported the Deccan Herald.
KAMS general secretary D. Shashi Kumar said this is just the tip of an iceberg. “Incidents such as consuming alcohol, having shots of vodka in schools have become quite common these days. But, what is disturbing is that substances are found,” he told IANS.
The news agency, quoting sources, further reported a behavioural change among students. When condoms and contraceptives were recovered from their bags, the students without any hesitation told the teaching staff that they needed to have some fun amid their tight schedule, it said.
Shashi Kumar said he had made a submission to the Child Welfare Committee in this regard four days ago but there was no response.
“These children are exploiting other children. Disturbing things like substance and tobacco abuse, peer pressure, fights, comparisons are happening among the children. Unfortunately no one is able to question the children,” he said.