The Education Ministry has revealed that there was a 28.5 percent increase in alcohol consumption at Primary school level between 2008 till the end of last year.

Education Minister Filipe Bole revealed the figures while launching the Drug Free school initiative this morning.

Bole said the figures are alarming and the Ministry is trying to reduce the number of drug and substance abuse cases reported by 10 percent this year.

The Education Minister has blamed parents for the increase in the number of Primary school students consuming alcohol.