c pupils engage.

Msimango said it was quite concerning that such parties were becoming rife in KZN, and often resulted in tragic situations.

“As we approach the end of the year, the matric class of 2024 is finishing their final year exams. To mark this occasion many learners will celebrate with “pens down parties but these celebrations have claimed too many lives before,” said Msimango.

He added that many alcohol outlets including taverns were bracing themselves to cash- in during this phenomenon, noting how often the gatherings involved heavy drinking and reckless driving by learners.

In addition to this, Msimango noted the episodes of human trafficking reported in recent times, adding that this called for vigilance.

“With the alarming rise of human trafficking and gender-based violence these events only increase the vulnerability of youth,” said the Msimango.

Responding to this Hlomuka said they supported the IFP’s call for vigilance by learners against such gatherings, adding that every effort was made to create an awareness about the department’s stance on the matter.

“As the department we have issued a warning to our learners and we are also engaged with the School Governing Bodies, and all educators to work with us to ensure that we warn our learners to not be part of the pens down parties,” he said.

Hlomuka said the department would be monitoring schools in order to ensure that the warnings were heeded.

18:T76c,Schools will close this week and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education will be closely monitoring activities to ensure that pupils do not participate in the notorious end- of- the- school- calendar parties, MEC Sipho Hlomuka announced this week.He was responding to a call from Inkatha Freedom Party Member of Provincial Legislature Nhlanhla Msimango, who expressed concern over the gatherings known as the pens down parties in which mainly matric pupils engage. Msimango said it was quite concerning that such parties wer