Cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, condoms, blades: Surprise bag checks in Ahmedabad schools reveal shocking items

The recent fatal stabbing of a student from Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Higher Secondary School has led several city schools to introduce surprise bag checks to reassess safety on campus. Over the past week, multiple institutions confirmed they have intensified inspections to keep a closer watch on what students carry. Teachers and administrators say the checks have revealed troubling findings, a TOI report stated. One principal said, "It is surprising and worrying. It shows how far student life stretches beyond their classwork. Alongside the expected books and tiffins, there were mobiles, tablets, lighters, cigarettes, vapes, and in one rare case, alcohol in a water bottle."

Another school principal shared, "We have found whiteners, lipsticks, kajal, nail filers, deodorants, oral contraceptives, condoms and even spare clothes and footwear."

In some schools, inspections uncovered blades, paper cutters and chains. Following the SDA incident, one institution banned scissors and rounders altogether.

Schools’ approach to discipline

Educators stress that parents should play a larger role in monitoring what children carry. "Unless parents get a written notification from the school to send these articles, they are not supposed to send them," said one teacher.

Bag checks have also led to the seizure of playing cards, novels with adult content, expensive pens, flashy jewellery, journals and cash exceeding the Rs 100-200 limit. "While parents are informed about confiscated items immediately, they are handed over the items during the parent-teacher meetings. Some parents confide that their children do not listen to them," one principal explained.

Another teacher observed, "Some parents are even comfortable with ‘adult books' being found and view them as part of ‘growing up’."

Escalation in serious cases

Some parents encourage students to carry mobiles to stay in touch during tuition hours. But when schools find drugs or sharp weapons, the cases are escalated to the district education office (DEO) or police.

"We majorly rely on counselling as punishment is not the answer. The environment around them influences these innocent children," a principal said. "If a child brings a blade or a romantic novel, we need to ask why before deciding what to do next."

Trading among students

One unusual find has been imported energy drinks. An administrator at a leading school, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "The imported energy drink is now part of a barter system. Students would sneak it in water bottles and trade sips for favours such as getting homework done, completing project work and even securing a seat in class."

Another principal noted, "The bag checks are just scratching the surface. What's inside reflects the outside environment — homes, screens and streets. Schools can confiscate items, but the real work is helping children understand why they feel the need to carry them in the first place."

Expert views

Psychologists and counsellors say peer influence and media consumption are shaping these behaviours. Dr Prashant Bhimani told TOI, "Peer pressure plays a huge role. If one student brings something, others often follow suit. Popular culture, especially K-pop and web series, influences behaviour, normalising adult habits for teenagers who want to imitate what they see on screen."

Counsellor Smita Ghosh added, "Excessive exposure to violence through OTT platforms makes some children believe that they need blades, paper cutters or chains to defend themselves, and that it is normal to use them." She also said, "Blame the environment at home where addictive substances are easily accessible and children are embracing them as an essential part of life."