CREP Africa Fires Back: Teachers Are Educators, Not Police Officers or NACOC Agents

CREP Africa Statement on the Ministry of Education’s Directive on Student Searches and Drug Surveillance

While the fight against drug abuse among young people is a national priority that requires urgent attention, CREP Africa is deeply concerned about the increasing tendency to shift every emerging social problem onto the already overburdened teacher.

Teachers are trained educators, not security officers, narcotics agents, or law enforcement personnel. The classroom teacher’s primary responsibility is teaching, learning support, mentorship, and the development of learners. Turning teachers into drug enforcement officers without providing the necessary legal protection, training, security support, and resources exposes them to serious risks.

The Ministry of Education must answer some critical questions: What is the role of security personnel stationed at school gates? What mechanisms exist to screen prohibited items before students enter campuses? What responsibilities do parents and guardians have in monitoring the behaviour and belongings of their children?

A teacher who attempts to search a student’s belongings or confront a suspected drug-related activity may face resistance, accusations, harassment, or even physical attacks. Has the Ministry adequately considered the safety and welfare of teachers before assigning them such sensitive responsibilities?

The fight against drug abuse in schools cannot be solved by simply adding another duty to teachers’ already heavy workload. Teachers are already struggling with large class sizes, inadequate teaching resources, administrative demands, and poor working conditions. Adding security enforcement responsibilities without a comprehensive framework is unfair and potentially dangerous.

If the government believes drug trafficking has entered educational institutions, then the response must involve strengthened collaboration with the appropriate agencies, including security services, the Narcotics Control Commission, school authorities, parents, and communities. Teachers should support prevention efforts, but they should not be expected to perform the functions of police officers or narcotics officers.

The Ministry of Education must stop treating teachers as the solution to every failure within the education system. Protecting students requires protecting teachers too.

CREP Africa calls for a clear policy framework that defines responsibilities, provides security support, protects teachers from unnecessary risks, and ensures that the burden of national challenges is not unfairly dumped on educators.