The Regional Education Director in the Oshana Region, Hileni Amukana, has warned learners to desist from alcohol and harmful substance abuse.

She said this during a meeting at the Leo Shoopala Hall in Oshakati with concerned learners, parents, and other stakeholders aimed at mitigating this issue.

The warning comes after the director's office received reports that learners from various schools are reporting to school drunk and under the influence of drugs.

Another is that learners are drinking and smoking between lessons.

Amukana stressed that this behavior should stop as it disrupts the learners' learning process.

The director said it is disappointing that learners as young as 14 are using drugs and alcohol.

She said some learners were caught red-handed with dagga and unused cigarettes on school premises.

Amukana appealed to parents and learners to make use of the suggestion box to anonymously report those who are selling them drugs.

She reminded them that if caught, they would be tried in court.

In the same vein, the education director warned learners against molesting other children, particularly in the school toilets, and urged parents to monitor their children and seek psychosocial support if they suspected any untoward behavior.