School Head Worried By The Distance Students Travel

NDINGILILO GAOSWEDIWE
Correspondent | Monday October 12, 2009 00:00

Addressing attendants at the prize-giving ceremony at Shangano Junior School, Timela said that there are students who travel from Hubona, a village located 15 km from the school.

'When do these children wake up, when do they reach school and how do they cope with their education?' asked the worried Timela.

He added that it still remains a great challenge as such long distances strain students.Timela said that the situation becomes worse during the rainy season as students have to still walk while carrying their books that normally get wet.

He added that the cold weather could also be a health hazard as students sometimes miss school due to flu.

Students also travel a long distance are from Ntondola, a village that is located 12 km north of the school.

Timela said that some students who reside at Sebina Cross also travel a distance of 14 km to and from school.

He said that about 153 students who reside in Marobela village travel more than 7km on a single journey to school.

Timela also urged parents to pay school fees, as it is not teachers' intention to send students back home.

'If you do not pay school fees for your children they might end up finding other means of finding money as it pains them when their names are put up on the notice boards,' he said.

He also announced that the school was under a renovation programme that cost the government P2.3 million.

Timela lamented that the school library was below standards.

He said there are no air conditioners, shelves and other basic materials that a normal library would have.

As a result, it was hindering students from doing their research.

Debswana support services manager Mbaakanyi David's keynote address revolved around education and empowerment.

He urged students to have ambitions, purpose in life and personal vision.

He said that all individuals go through hardships, where it often seems that dreams and ambitions are shattered.

He cited a Chinese proverb that says, 'You should not be afraid of progressing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.'

He further encouraged students to lead a simple, uncomplicated life.

Due to the immense social pressures that young people are subjected to, he advised that it takes a lot of will power to resist and overcome such pressures.

Apart from the inspirational message, David, announced that there was a company cheque for P3,000 and P1,500 from his pocket that would be delivered to the school this week.

The prize-giving ceremony was celebrated under the theme:
'Addressing key issues in education, a major step towards achieving quality education.'