The cards had been shuffled and were on the brink to be distributed among the players when a heavy hand seized the pack, tore it to pieces and threw it into the bin. Taken aback, the gamblers only but remained frozen on their chairs to hear the sanction they deserved.

Do not be misled, we are not in a country where gambling is prohibited but in the classroom of a local 5-star college where some Form III students were caught playing poker against money by their teacher. His unequivocal display of disapproval is laudable. It is, in my humble opinion, proportional to the misconduct, to least qualify the deed.

School is the last place where one would expect learning or devoting oneself to vices. It is to be asked how gambling managed to squeeze its way into this respected institution.

Want it or not gambling is highly addictive and often ends up into a hard-to-kick vice. Yet it seems to be misinterpreted as a leisure activity in Mauritius. Who has not come across that advert, which bridges betting to fun. Is betting not a synonym for gambling?

Horse racing is a widely broadcasted event while casinos, gaming houses and betting outlets are now common features in many a town and village. They perniciously compensate for an absence of adequate leisure infrastructures for a modern and growing population.

If children are tempted to gamble, there is no doubt they are influenced by their environment. Adults? attitudes towards gambling often endorse such urge. In the US, according to the Illinois institute for addiction recovery, ?The statistics are alarming. A survey of adolescents found that more than 80 percent of those between 12 and 17 say they have gambled in the last 12 months. More than 35 percent say they gamble at least once a week.?

While we only can hope the situation is not that bad for our youth, such a survey would help in weighing the problem. Gambling can seriously compromise the education of our youngsters. It?s not only the money they are putting at stake by devoting themselves to such a risky activity, but they are also gambling their own lives.

The dangers of gambling ought to be explained at school while imposing a strict no betting policy at all times.

Parents are advised to observe suspicious behaviour, which might betray gambling habits such as an unexplained need for money or excessive interest in horse racing.

As betting is addictive, one allows oneself to be blindfolded in such an activity as suggested by yet another advert!

Exercising care, control and moderation is vital for grown-ups. As far as youngsters are concerned, they should by all means be protected from this activity.

Schools should remain a pack of cards from which students can only but draw the jokers of patience, honesty, industry and other values which one is unlikely to find in gambling, so let them be gambling free!