Students� indiscipline remains a concern-Goya
Pini Bothoko | Thursday December 7, 2017 14:09
The Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Moiseraela Goya echoed these sentiments when answering a question in Parliament.
This followed a question that was asked by the Member of Parliament for Francistown East Buti Billy who had asked the minister if student indiscipline is getting out of control, particularly the abuse of alcohol and drugs. He further wanted to know what strategies are in place to contain this problem if indeed it exists.
Goya conceded that indeed students’ indiscipline remains a worrisome situation in schools stating that the behaviour of a small minority can disrupt education for all. He said the increased use of alcohol and drugs in the wider community is of national concern and the ministry is working hard to fight the scourge.
He stated that the ministry has introduced a wide variety of measures to address indiscipline in schools and sensitise learners on the dangers of substance abuse. He said the measures include the strengthening of the pastoral policy, which advocates and involves students in some of the decision making and running of the school.
“This involves the division of large schools into more manageable ‘houses’ headed by a head of department. The involvement of the community in the school is also very important through Parent Teacher Associations, Kgotla meetings and open days,” Goya said.
He said that schools also offer counselling to the affected learners at school level as well as at regional level.
Goya said that they also have anti-substance abuse fairs for students held at regional and cluster levels as well as those that are school based. “Schools also have been liaising and working with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to help address students on issues of substance abuse. Formation of regional anti-drug abuse clubs, made up of students from different schools to empower peers has also been used as a measure to address students’ indiscipline in schools,” Goya said.
He revealed that schools have been running parenting workshops to mentor members of the community as they have noted that children adopt many of those bad habits when on vacation.
Reached for an interview on the sidelines of Parliament session, Billy disclosed to be concerned by students’ indiscipline due to abuse of alcohol and drugs. He said that his question was motivated by students’ behaviour among junior secondary schools at Francistown that appears to be getting out of control.
“Students’ indiscipline behaviour in schools is of concern and needs immediate attention. In every Kgotla meeting parents and teachers always raise a complaint of student indiscipline. I wanted to know if this kind of behaviour is nation wide or not and what the ministry is doing to curb the situation before it gets out of control,” Billy said.
Billy said the situation in some schools has deteriorated to such an extent that if it is not given immediate attention it might undermine the whole education system.
He pointed out that indiscipline is exhibited by students under different forms both within and outside the school premises.
“It ranges from minor misbehavior such as improper dressing, lateness and completing homework to severe misconduct like violence against teachers and peers, damaging property all being the result of drug and alcohol abuse. I have learnt that some students carry alcohol and other drugs in their school bags and abuse them within the school premises,” Billy said.