14 Aug 2014

Maun senior secondary school is now back on track after government made great strides in addressing issues of concern in order to make the learning environment more conducive, says the school head, Ms Selebatso Modisaemang.

The newly appointed school head said issues of spiritual welfare commonly known as Satanism which had engulfed the school  recently is now a thing of the past as the management has instilled discipline amongst the concerned students

The school had experienced a serious problem of Satanism which negatively affected both the school and social life of learners.“We applied our traditional way which is corporal punishment and since then everything is in order and we are now striving to bring back the school’s reputation,” she told parents and students during a meeting on Wednesday.

The main objective of the meeting was to meet with school heads of the five senior schools where the former students of Shakawe would be re-admitted.

Ms Modisaemang said a strong, good working relationship between students, parents and teachers is critical to transform the image of the school. 

She said success came with determination, commitment and sound strategies to achieve set goals.

She said currently students are not allowed to use cell phones and advised parents to check their children through school management. 

She also observed that Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) has taken a decision that any student caught using a cell phone would be charged P500.

The school head also noted that currently they embarked on a campaign to search students who are violating school’s rules and regulation and few were caught.

She revealed that the management has also taken a decision to block some internet channels because they were promoting social ills amongst students adding that students had access to channels which enhance their studies.

Ms Modisaemang informed students that they should consider themselves lucky to be given the second chance and urged them to pride themselves and make the best use of the opportunity by sticking to their books and build a firm foundation for life afterwards. She also appealed to parents to avoid transfers as they might disturb students.

For their part, parents commended government for an ideal decision to re-admit students.

They appreciated the Ministry of Education and Skills Development for their active role in fighting to improve examination results by introducing different strategies.

The parents also advised their children to appreciate that they are the future leaders of tomorrow. The parents urged children to refrain from unaccepted behaviours which would ruin their future.

Kgosi Babinang Majatsie appealed to government to consider the idea of having girls and boys schools noting that the development could address the issue of delinquency amongst students.

He said in other countries like Malawi the idea is working wonders as boys are separated from girls. He said the idea could also assist in reduction of student drop-outs which in most cases are caused by deserting from hostels and pregnancy. 

He also called on parents to stop abdicating responsibility for their children’s education and assume that their children are the sole responsibility of the government. He discouraged parents from waiting to be called by teachers for meetings, saying they should be proactive in their children’s education.

Another parent, Mr Simon Molelo motivated students and urged them to bear in mind that education can change their destination as they come from different backgrounds with different challenges. He also urged parents to be proactive in the education of their children and to always guide them when they go astray. ENDS