Students' misbehaviour haunts gov't
Lebogang Mosikare | Friday July 13, 2018 14:42
Officiating at the Sixth National Practical Subjects Fair at Business Botswana grounds on Tuesday afternoon, a concerned Kwerepe, who is a former head teacher, said incidents of ill-discipline by students seriously concern the government, parents as well as teachers.
“It would be amiss of me if I could end my remarks without talking about the issues that are of serious concern to the government, parents as well as teachers. These issues include teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse. These three issues in particular are the worst enemies of every teenager,” said Kwerepe.
He explained that a lot has been said about the issue of HIV/AIDS in the homes, at schools, in churches, in Parliament even in health facilities. “Regrettably, the message does not seem to be reaching home. Reports clearly show that the situation is not getting any better. In fact, it is worsened by the excessive and careless use of drugs by young people,” Kwerepe decried.
He added that students continue to vandalise government property such as furniture, windows, textbooks and other items in schools.
“There is intolerable graffiti all over the walls of the buildings particularly at the toilets. All this is a direct result of drug abuse by the students. Therefore my message to you is refrain from taking drugs.
Drugs are not good for your health. We shall not hesitate to take stern action against any learner who is caught taking drugs. My children, you are at school for nothing else but to learn.” In her welcome remarks, the Mayor of Francistown, Sylvia Muzila advised the students to take their education seriously as the only tool that they could use to tackle the various challenges that they are going to face in future.
The acting regional education director for the north East, Bose Tema, echoed Muzila’s words.
She also advised parents to take keen interest in the education of their children and not leave it to teachers alone.