16 learners caught with home-made weapons and live bullets
About 16 learners from Nahas Ndevahoma Primary School in the Ohangwena Region were found in possession of homemade firearms and live ammunition this week.
The oldest is 18, the youngest is eight, while some of the learners are 11 and 14.
In a widely circulated video, school principal Nahas Hepangalume cautioned teachers to be aware of learners carrying weapons in school.
Hepangalume said the discovery was made at the school on 7 October.
Surrender your weapons
In a lengthy interview with Namibian Sun on Thursday, Hepangalume said the matter came to light when a learner asked a teacher when the next science fair would take place at the school again.
He said the learner was informed that it would take place next year. In response, the learner remarked that a fellow student would have to keep his guns for longer.
This learner had allegedly already fired seven bullets from his “big” gun and two from the “small” one, which resembles a pistol.
“That is when the teacher [asked] what guns the learner was referring to. The said learner with the guns is in grade six and he went to show the teacher his work and this is how they were confiscated,” he said.
Hepangalume said no learner was arrested, as the students were instead encouraged to surrender their guns and ammunition.
Sixteen have complied so far, with some learners handing over only bullets.
He said none of the guns were on the school premises when they were confiscated, although some were found in nearby areas.
The principal explained that their school places a strong emphasis on information and communication technology and art subjects, which encourage creativity, innovation and skills in design and production.
He said learners reported that they use the guns to hunt for birds, rabbits and other wild animals.
“The old military base for South Africa is about 100 metres from our school. This is where the children go and search for ammunition. Live shells are still on that site, and we reported this already two years ago. Some learners revealed that they stole their bullets from their parents' guns."
Young minds
Hepangalume acknowledged that while there is a creative aspect to the home-made firearms, the school has cautioned parents and guardians to ensure the weapons are kept out of children's reach.
“These children are in their teenage years. And you know how that is. A confrontation between a teacher and a learner could escalate fast. The possibility of being shot by this child is there,” he said, adding that the school will monitor the situation and conduct daily searches.
Ohangwena regional education director Isak Hamatwi noted that despite the negative aspects of the improvised weapons, they are products of imaginative minds.
“However dangerous the products are, they are a demonstration of creativity and innovation. The dangerous and safety aspects of these need to be seriously addressed, but without intentionally suffocating the creative minds."
The oldest is 18, the youngest is eight, while some of the learners are 11 and 14.
In a widely circulated video, school principal Nahas Hepangalume cautioned teachers to be aware of learners carrying weapons in school.
Hepangalume said the discovery was made at the school on 7 October.
Surrender your weapons
In a lengthy interview with Namibian Sun on Thursday, Hepangalume said the matter came to light when a learner asked a teacher when the next science fair would take place at the school again.
He said the learner was informed that it would take place next year. In response, the learner remarked that a fellow student would have to keep his guns for longer.
This learner had allegedly already fired seven bullets from his “big” gun and two from the “small” one, which resembles a pistol.
“That is when the teacher [asked] what guns the learner was referring to. The said learner with the guns is in grade six and he went to show the teacher his work and this is how they were confiscated,” he said.
Hepangalume said no learner was arrested, as the students were instead encouraged to surrender their guns and ammunition.
Sixteen have complied so far, with some learners handing over only bullets.
He said none of the guns were on the school premises when they were confiscated, although some were found in nearby areas.
The principal explained that their school places a strong emphasis on information and communication technology and art subjects, which encourage creativity, innovation and skills in design and production.
He said learners reported that they use the guns to hunt for birds, rabbits and other wild animals.
“The old military base for South Africa is about 100 metres from our school. This is where the children go and search for ammunition. Live shells are still on that site, and we reported this already two years ago. Some learners revealed that they stole their bullets from their parents' guns."
Young minds
Hepangalume acknowledged that while there is a creative aspect to the home-made firearms, the school has cautioned parents and guardians to ensure the weapons are kept out of children's reach.
“These children are in their teenage years. And you know how that is. A confrontation between a teacher and a learner could escalate fast. The possibility of being shot by this child is there,” he said, adding that the school will monitor the situation and conduct daily searches.
Ohangwena regional education director Isak Hamatwi noted that despite the negative aspects of the improvised weapons, they are products of imaginative minds.
“However dangerous the products are, they are a demonstration of creativity and innovation. The dangerous and safety aspects of these need to be seriously addressed, but without intentionally suffocating the creative minds."
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