Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
High school classroom
High school classroom - Credit: Photo: HaMinh1997 / Wikimedia Commons
Business
Varendonck College
Asten
Someren
alcohol
breathalyzer
Irma van Nieuwenhuijsen
Thursday, 13 September 2018 - 14:30
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Drunk pupils in class: Brabant school starts using breathalyzers

The Varendonck College in Asten and Someren is going to start using breathalyzer tests on their pupils. The VMBO, HAVO and VWO school believes that an increasing number of pupils are drunk in class, Omroep Brabant reports.

The school has acquired breathalyzer tests, but hasn't yet used them on pupils, rector Irma van Nieuwenhuijsen said to the broadcaster. "If we suspect that a pupil is drunk in the classroom, we want this option", she said.

The rector does not have concrete figures, but said it is becoming increasingly common for pupils to come to class under the influence of alcohol, especially after a fair or beer festival. "Beautiful traditions that we have here in the region. But I am responsible for a safe learning environment and for giving good lessons. If one, two or three pupils are drunk in class on a Monday morning, it is no longer possible to provide good education."

On Wednesday the school sent letters to all parents of students from the third class onwards. According to Van Nieuwenhuijsen, teenagers drinking is seen as "too normal" in the region. "In this way we want to take a position as a school and start a discussion about it."

If a teacher now suspects that a pupil is drunk in class, the pupil will be asked to leave the class. His or her parents will be called, to ask permission to do the breathalyzer test. If the pupil turns out to be under the influence, he or she will be sent home.

Someren's fair starts on September 21st. According to Van Nieuwenhuijsen, this is a direct reason for Varendonck to take action now.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Dutch meteorologists say Musk's Starlink network disrupts weather forecasting
  • Money woes mean solar car firm Lightyear’s 600 workers expected to lose jobs
  • Court bans climate activist from attending protest on Hague highway
  • Sharp increase in drugs seized in the post last year
  • Dutch Grand Prix received €1.8 million in Covid support despite no-subsidy claims
  • Netherlands losing one winter day per year due to global warming: KNMI

Top stories

  • Philips to slash over a thousand jobs in new reorganization: Report
  • Netherlands heading for "socially disruptive" asylum crisis, involved authorities warn
  • Climate activists released from custody; Banned from Hague highway for months
  • Alfred Schreuder fired as Ajax manager
  • English language books driving increase in Dutch sales; Audiobooks more popular
  • Housing construction will miss 2023 target by 30 percent

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content