Cigarettes, alcohol, condoms found in school students’ bags in Bengaluru; experts suggest parental supervision and counseling

With increasing complaints around students bringing their cellphones to school, the Associated Managements of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) asked schools to start checking students' bags.

However, the surprise bag check revealed some shocking items found in the bags of students in multiple schools in Bangaluru.

Apart from cell phones, authorities found cigarettes, alcohol, lighters, condoms, oral contraceptives, excess cash, and whiteners, in the bags of students of classes 8, 9 and 10.

KAMS general secretary D Shashi Kumar said 80 percent of schools held these checks for cell phones, reported Deccan Herald. "There were oral contraceptives (i-Pill) in one student's bag. Also, there was alcohol in water bottles," he said.

"We are struggling to overcome this shock. Students were found to be harassing teachers and classmates, using foul language, bullying and making bad gestures. Such behavior is seen even in Class 5 children," Kumar added.

One school’s principal revealed that a condom was found in a Class 10 girl's bag. "When questioned, she blamed her classmates or those at the private tuition that she goes to," the principal said.

As per reports, the schools issued notices to parents and recommended counseling for these students. Students were not suspended.

"Though we have counseling sessions at schools, we asked parents to seek help for children from outside and granted leave for up to 10 days," a principal said.

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The principal of a school in Nagarabhavi shared that the parents of these students were also shocked after knowing about their possessions. "Parents were equally shocked and told us about sudden behavioral changes in children."

Dr. A Jagadish, consultant psychiatrist, Abhaya Hospital, stressed on parental supervision. "In one case, a single mother found a condom in her 14-year-old son's shoe rack. A few children like to experiment and indulge in such activities. This includes smoking, leading to drug addiction and over-socializing with the opposite sex that might lead to physical interaction," he said.

It is important for parents to engage in open communication if they find their child is smoking and/or drinking. These situations are difficult to handle which is why it is essential that you remain calm and take time to process this shocking information.

Your child could be doing this under peer pressure, so it is important to talk it out with them, insteading of blaming or shaming them.

Explain the health hazards of smoking and drinking, both short term and long term. Help them quit and support them to let go of these unhealthy habits.

Encourage meeting your doctor or a counselor, who can be supportive and offer help.

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It can be shocking for a parent to find their child is sexually active. However, no matter how uncomfortable the situation is, it is better to talk it out with them, instead of cold treatment or feeling crushed under societal embarrassment.

Teens are curious and are quite vulnerable at this age. As their parent, it is your responsibility to explain sex to them so that they are not misguided by say, peer pressure. Most importantly, make sure your child is safe and understand the consequences of what they are doing.

Listen to them instead of grounding them. Your child also needs to understand sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy risks, and the emotional ramifications of sex. Take help from a child counselor or psychologist for further guidance.

Apart from parental supervision, communication and having a good listening power is essential.

When your child hides things from you, rather than being offended by it or betrayed, try understanding why they do it in the first place. While they need your guidance, they also need a friend in their parents, with whom they can share their trials and tribulations.

Be patient and create an environment, where they feel safe enough to share their problems and insecurities.