Francistown grapples with increased indiscipline
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Monday October 6, 2025 06:28
Addressing the ongoing full council, City Mayor Gaone Majere said that they are faced with learner dropouts and rising indiscipline in the education system.
According to Majere, about 107 learners dropped out of school over the last five years. He also said that they recorded 24 cases of dropouts since the beginning of this year.
He stated that Mater Spei College alone registered nine pregnancies out of 13 in the past two years. Additionally, he was concerned about the alarming rise of learner indiscipline in schools.
The mayor stated that since 2021, they have documented 1723 cases, averaging 547 annually.
“This year, 636 cases have already been recorded within just two terms, with schools like Montsamaisa, Goldmine Junior Secondary Schools (JSS), and Mater Spei College hardest hit,” he continued. He stated that these trends demand urgent and united action.
He further said there is a need to strengthen collaboration amongst teachers, parents, and learners to restore discipline while supporting those at risk of dropping out. Every child must feel valued and supported, so no potential is wasted, added Majere.
Recently in Parliament, the Assistant Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Justin Hunyepa, condemned the rising wave of indiscipline in schools, citing bullying, vandalism, violence, and drug abuse as major concerns. With over 2088 indiscipline cases recorded in 2024 and 1958 cases logged this year, Hunyepa emphasised the need for collective responsibility in addressing this issue. A concerning issue that Hunyepa brought out was that public schools report more severe incidences of indiscipline than private ones. He added that drug misuse is a serious concern, warning that drugs impair judgment, increase hostility, and push students towards violence, profanity, poor performance, and absence. He therefore urged the public and Members of Parliament (MP) to work together, demonstrating that this is not just a fight for power.
Meanwhile, Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) has been advocating for the reintroduction of corporal punishment in schools as a means to address indiscipline.
This stance is not without controversy, as the country abolished corporal punishment in schools, aligning with international conventions like the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. BOSETU believes that corporal punishment could help curb violence and indiscipline in schools, citing its potential to shape children into responsible adults.
The debate surrounding corporal punishment in Botswana's schools reflects differing views on discipline and child development. While some argue that it is a vital tool for maintaining discipline, others emphasise the need for alternative approaches that prioritize counseling, positive behavioral support, and holistic child development.