GANTA, Nimba – The principal of the St. Lawrence Catholic High School in Ganta, Larlesseh W. Berdeh, has turned over a student to the Crime Services Department of the Liberia National Police for allegedly carrying narcotic substances into school.

Berdeh said the school’s administration had received a tip off from parents during a Parent Teacher Association meeting, after which the administration decided to conduct a surprise search on students from Grade 9 upward.

The search discovered that a student in the 11^th grade had in his possession 29 pieces of wrapped marijuana and 14 pieces of candy laced with marijuana. Berdeh said the police were immediately informed about the situation.

“They verified the drug and took record of it and after that, the student in question was handcuffed and taken to the police station to be detained,” the principal added.

Berdeh said in his over two years as principal of St. Lawrence Catholic School, he has not discovered such activities being carried out by students. However, he said he and other staff have been noticing that after recess, students’ behavior has often changed.

“Every time students come to school – during the morning hours – their behaviors can be different,” he said “But when they go for recess and they are returning, you notice a change in their attitudes and behavior. You will notice… they become emotional. They will be sweating and teachers will be complaining about them—there cannot be peace in the class.”

Berdeh called on parents to help the schools monitor the activities of their children.

“The students spend only five to six hours with us, but the rest of the time they are with their parents,” he added. “They need to help us monitor their activities at home.”

Featured photo by Arrington Ballah