Indiscipline amongst students in public schools remains a concern as learners continue to engage in unlawful activities that even affect their studies.
However, schools through Guidance and Counselling are currently doing everything they can to curb this. Mabogo Junior Secondary School in Palapye is one such institution.
In a letter passed on to Mmegi, learnt that the school has invited rehabilitated ex-convict, David July who has also joined politics and will also be contesting for a council seat in Palapye under Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) to address learners about indiscipline this past Thursday.
In a letter that was officially signed by the Acting senior teacher, Guidance and Counselling, Keorapetse Basupi said Mabogo Junior Secondary School like other schools in Botswana is experiencing a rise in cases of indiscipline amongst boys that include substance abuse, dodging classes, violence and truancy to mention but a few.
“This behaviour has negatively affected their academic performance leading to a miserable life after school. In view of this, we humbly request you (July) to be our resource person on July 4th 2024. We hope our students will learn from your expertise and vast experience so that they can be responsible citizens of tomorrow. We truly appreciate your cooperation in helping us shape the minds of our future leaders,” reads the letter.
Asked about the authenticity of the letter, a senior official at the school who preferred anonymity conceded students’ lawlessness at the school just like others remains a concern. As such, the schools are doing everything they can to mould learners’ behaviour for a better tomorrow.
The official further stated that concerned with students’ indiscipline they have in the past made efforts to address students’ lawlessness by engaging professionals like social workers, pastors, police to mention but a few to sensetise learners about indiscipline and its impact in their lives and future.
“Even though the situation is not much prevalent in our school if three learners are showing a sign of indiscipline it's a major concern because the behaviour of a small minority can disrupt education for all. When a learner or two abuse drugs, abscond classes and being violent to other learners it worries us that is why we have been engaging professionals even people who have in the past had criminal record to try to help us pass the message to the students,” said the official.
Furthermore, the official said they believe that engaging someone who had gone through the same thing and is a local serves a better purpose because they might have learnt about that person’s history and would prefer to listen to that person that a stranger.
The administrator expressed worry that despite their efforts some parents continue to shower their children with money which they use to buy drugs.
“Some children come from families where they witness rowdy behaviour, such learners has the habit of displaying such behaviour in school and we have been pleading with parents through Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meetings to change how they do things especially in the presence of their children,” said the officer.
For his part, July was happy to have received the invitation stating that he was the suitable person to talk to learners about indiscipline because it is what he has lived for most of his years. He said being an ex-convict and believed to have rehabilitated he is the suitable person to sensetise learners about lawlessness and was adamant that students will change their ways after having a conversation with them.
“Crime does not pay, there is no future in crime and that is what students should know. A life of a criminal is very short because you can get killed anytime. I want students to learn that from me. I spent most of my life in prison and I do not believe that is what students want. Ke gone ke simololang botshelo (I only started positive living) at my age because I wasted most of my prime years focusing on criminal activities. I want students to refrain from committing crime like taking drugs, unnecessary fights and engaging in lawlessness behaviour like dodging lessons and spend most of their times abusing alcohol,” July said.