Teachers encouraged to work hard despite challenges

Olefile Serokolo | Tuesday November 28, 2017 16:29

Mojuta was a guest speaker on Friday during the Selebi-Phikwe, Bobirwa (SELEBO) Region teachers' excellence awards, which where sponsored by Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU). The award recipients were teachers whose students excelled in the 2016 examinations in both primary, junior and senior secondary schools.

Mojuta said she has received several reports in the region of students beating up and hurling insults at teachers, and even proposition the teachers. “This kind of behaviour appears to have become a challenge to teachers as they have now been forced to shift their main focus (teaching) in order to deal with issues of disciplining learners. Some students misbehave as a result of drugs that have infiltrated schools in the region,” she said.

Many stakeholders have expressed concern about the growing levels of misbehaviour fuelled by drugs. Vendors trading near schools and some of students are said to be amongst those responsible for selling drugs to pupils.

Just last week, the assistant Minister of Basic Education, Moiseraela Goya said his ministry might soon be forced to ban vending near schools.

“We are concerned about the growing levels of drug and substance abuse in most schools across the country. We discovered that some of those who operate vending stalls near schools are responsible for selling drugs to learners.

 We are working with the police  to address the trend,” Goya said during a meeting with Francistown civic leaders who had expressed concern of the growing drug usage and abuse. The assistant Minister added, “If the trend does not cease, we will be left without any option apart from banning vending near schools”.  Taking the cue, Majuta urged parents to come to the party and closely take part in moulding the behaviour of their children.

Majuta stated that amongst challenges for teachers in the SELEBO region is the critical shortage of teacher accommodation, classrooms and poor general working conditions.

“The good work you are doing should give you the courage to soldier on, despite the challenges you regularly go through.”