The DBE is cautioning the Class of 2023 learners who have finished writing their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations to celebrate their Pens Down Parties responsibly.

Unfortunately, many matric students get so caught up in the excitement of completing their final examinations that they throw caution to the wind and often end up hurting either themselves or others. What is then meant to be a joyful and celebratory period in their lives, ends up destroying their future plans and dreams.

Mr Likho Bottoman, Director for Social Cohesion and Equity in Education explained that, “for the DBE, this is an anxiety-provoking time in the lives of young people when the effort and time invested during their 12 years of education can be overturned. Although the Department strongly believes in child and youth agency and the liberation of youth to explore life and its possibilities for themselves and learn and grow from those experiences, the Department believes in imparting knowledge, information and skills to learners to allow them to make safe and healthy choices about their lives.”

He added that the messaging during this time should therefore be balanced. “It is important that we begin to talk about these realities to make young people and their parents aware of the risks and harm that can accompany these Pen’s Down Parties. Often these parties are accompanied by risky behaviour such as the use of alcohol, unsafe sexual practices and sexual exploitation of children. We caution learners to take care of themselves as they celebrate the end-of-exam period with their friends and not act irresponsibly. Alcohol is considered by the Central Drug Authority of South Africa as a gateway substance to other drugs, which can evidently destroy lives.”