11 Aug 2014

Acting Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mr Shaw Kgathi has expressed shock at the high number of dropouts at Matshekge Secondary School due to teenage pregnancy.

Speaking during a 10 km sponsored walk organised by the school to raise awareness on teenage pregnancy in Bobonong on  August 9, Mr Kgathi said teenage pregnancy was a cause for concern.

He said at their age, students should take a decision not to be distracted from their studies by indulging in activities that would ruin their lives.

The statistics from the school head indicated that 34 students fell pregnant in 2013 and this year up to July, 30 dropped from the institution and all were impregnated by villagers except one who was impregnated by a fellow student.

He warned them of engaging in sexual activities at a tender age because it was risky as their bodies were not ready for such acts. The minister stated that he was disappointed to note that villagers were involved in the act of amorous activities with students and pleaded with the dikgosi of various wards to address the issue with their members.

However, he suggested that in times like these students should be rigorously engaged in boot camps during school holidays to reshape their behaviour noting that most students engage in awkward activities during school breaks.

“Once every month you should protest and wage war against teenage pregnancy because elderly people are ruining your life.”

The sponsored walk was also organised to raise funds for the prize giving ceremony by the school’s Alumni, which the minster said has started working on four projects for the school.

He said the Alumni has tasked themselves to design a website for the school, adopt a school initiative where they are working with the British Council to link Matshekge with a school in UK, sponsored walks to raise funds, the prize giving’s and the build a library initiative which are all the liability of the Alumni.

Mr Kgathi said Tati East MP, Mr Guma Moyo who was to be chief walker has pledged P10 000 while Botswana International University of Science and Technology pledged P5 000 and would monitor the performance of the school.

Mr Kgathi pledged to contribute a prize for the overall best student in form 4 and 5 classes. Earlier the school head, Mr Baboloki Bajiti appealed to parents to help solve the problem of teenage pregnancy at his school.

“We want to be a school of excellence in academics, extra curricula, discipline and customer satisfaction.” Mr Bajiti said pregnancy was a challenge that had to be dealt with especially by parents.

Parents Teachers Association chairperson, Mr Lesang Mokobi was concerned to notice poor turn-out of parents and said those that came should spread the message because.

“We want to be a school of excellence in academics but not school of excellence in pregnancy.” The sponsored walk was held under the theme ‘education a priority, stop teenage pregnancy’. Ends