The pupil, who was allegedly dealing in drugs at the school, was found with a bag of cocaine and arrested

A PUPIL was arrested in possession of drugs ranging from cocaine to dagga at a Chatsworth school during a massive search and seizure operation by the police and led by the KwaZulu-Natal department of education.

The pupil, who was allegedly dealing in drugs at the school, was found with a bag of cocaine and arrested.

The search and seizure operation was part of the department's campaign to raise awareness about social ills such as crime, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy and other problems that negatively affect the My Life My Future campaign.

Education MEC Senzo Mchunu and members of the provincial education portfolio committee, representatives from the Department of Health and the police visited three schools and warned that regular raids would take place.

• Mchunu also visited Ekwazini High School in Umlazi, where there is a problem with dagga and whoonga, a cheap form of heroin.

Teachers at the school complain that drug dealers recruit vulnerable children to sell drugs for them.

Principal Bhekani Madide said he had to kick out a Grade 9 pupil who was selling drugs at the school.

Madide said the pupil was apparently selling for a dealer who was targeting pupils at the school.

"I told the pupil to go home and only come back with his parents. He never returned."

Mchunu went to Comtech High School in Umlazi to formally launch the campaign.

Teachers, pupils, parents, government officials and community leaders attended.

• Mchunu said in 2010 alone 17,000 pupils fell pregnant at school, also exposing them to HIV.

"We cannot fold our arms and watch - we must all do something.

As the department this is not our core function, but (drugs) affect learning one way or another."