Learners’ rowdy behaviour worries Parley
Pini Bothoko | Monday December 19, 2022 06:00
Responding to a question in Parliament recently, the Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Aubrey Lesaso revealed that students’ behaviours have changed over a period of time, something which is a reflection of the society people live in.
Lesaso was responding to a question from the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gantsi South, Motsamai Motsamai who had asked whether the minister was aware of bullying, violence and other forms of delinquency practices perpetrated by students on others and staff in schools.
Motsamai further wanted to know the number of such incidents in schools in the past 10 years and if there had been deaths recorded as a result of such incidents. Furthermore, he wanted to know interventions that the ministry has instituted to deal with such incidents and if the ministry will consider conducting an inquiry into the acts of violence.
Responding to the question, Lesaso conceded indiscipline among students in schools has assumed alarming proportions in terms of frequency and severity, something that should be dealt with as a matter of urgency. He revealed to have recently appealed to MPs to do community mobilisation in the fight against violence that occurs every day in the society.
He said the ministry has introduced a wide variety of measures to address indiscipline in schools, giving an example of a pastoral policy, which is designed to address such indiscipline and psycho-social issues in schools. Lesaso indicated that the policy is supported by trained guidance and counselling teachers who collaborate with social services and the police. “Our schools are a reflection of the communities that they serve and we all know the degree of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) our children are witnessing.
We must all see our role in the battle to stamp out violence in our peace loving country. Sadly though, I have had to expel 11 students this year alone for stabbing other students and sexual assault incidents as we have a zero tolerance for such in schools,” Lesaso said. In addition, Lesaso said the ministry also has a life skills programme under guidance and counselling designed to educate and socialise learners on various aspects including financial management, sexuality education, gender and social roles, family and national values among others.
However, the minister said he was not in a position to report the exact number of cases of bullying and similar incidents at schools like Motsamai had requested because most cases go unreported. He said they are working with other stakeholders such as Ikago Centre in Molepolole to rehabilitate offenders. “Sadly we have had two homicides and eight suicides in schools in the past 12 years.
The proliferation of social media has highlighted some of the incidents of bullying and fighting that occurs in schools, with bystanders recording such incidents rather than arresting them, and this is on the rise,” Lesaso said. He stated that the ministry is currently not considering conducting an inquiry into these acts as a research investigation was conducted in 2020 following a spate of the incidents.
Lesaso added that then, the investigating team targeted 16 schools and used focus group discussions with union representatives, guidance teachers, disciplinary committees, parents, teachers and students leadership. “This year alone we lost 46 students in our secondary schools due to different issues. We are faced with so many challenges in our schools that need collective effort. Some parents are also a problem because they are not involved in their children’s education but their involvement is unquestionably one of the pivotal factors that can help schools attain excellence in academic performance. Being involved in your child’s education does not only mean buying school uniform and paying school fees.
It goes beyond that, do not stand on the sidelines watching, become involved,” he said. Other MPs also wanted to know the ministry’s new interventions and what the ministry has since established as the main cause of indiscipline and how the ministry is planning to tackle the problem. They suggested that the ministry should consider installing cameras and screening devices in schools premises and at the gate to scan for offensive weapons at points of entry. Motsamai advised the ministry to address the justice system at Cabinet level and advocate increment of charges and sentence for drug lords or people paddling drugs. “Drugs have found their way into schools and they are adversely affecting learners’ academic performance and behaviour. This calls for everyone’s involvement starting at family level.
The impact of drug use is more disturbing as it ruins our children’s future, fuel crime and threaten the country’s economy hence the need to increase penalties of drug lords,” he said. Motsamai said there is need to go deeper in this matter by involving parents and providing counseling hence calling for new interventions. Sharing the same sentiments, Ngami MP, Carter Hikuama said the ministry should disclose new interventions and what it has established as the cause because schools are the foundation for building the country. For his part, Molepolole North MP, Oabile Regoeng asked the ministry to benchmark from private schools because such incidents do not occur in their schools as compared to public schools. “Learners who were sent to Ikago Centre for rehabilitation returned worse. There is more that needs to done when rehabilitation is concerned,” he said. Sharing similar sentiments, MP for Okavango, Kenny Kapinga, and Francistown South, MP Wynter Mmolotsi said school administrators no longer have powers to discipline learners something that has worsened the situation.
They went on to ask what the Education Act says about corporal punishment in schools because there is need for teachers to be allowed to flog learners. “We have been long promised that the Education Act will look into corporal punishment in schools. Teachers no longer have powers. Can’t you allow school administrators to manage schools because it is clear that the ministry is failing,” Mmolotsi said.
Responding to their concerns, Lesaso admitted that corporal punishment should be reintroduced in schools because learners are misbehaving and need a bit of flogging. He also acknowledged the need to benchmark from private schools how they do things like MPs have suggested.