22 Oct 2014

The aspiration for an educated and informed nation is a priority that needs collective effort to enhance national development.

This was said by the maintenance foreman of Matcoy Supply and Services, Mr Shinga Munyadzwe at the launch of the adopt-a-school and prize giving ceremony at Mphuthe junior school in Letlhakeng on  October 17. Mr Munyadzwe said it took the entire community to be effective in the proper upbringing of a nation’s children.

“There must be a relationship between establishing positive social values and formal education in order for a society to produce responsible and accountable citizens who are capable of advancing their generation into an educated and morally upright society,” he said. 

Mr Munyadzwe further said the manner in which parents related to the school system could impact either negatively or positively on the academic results of any school. “The communication breakdown between teachers and parents provides an opportunity for delinquency as there would be a gap in supervision,” he said.

He said as such it was important that support be garnered from parents and every other stakeholder if the educational pursuit of children is to be achieved.

For his part, the Headteacher, Mr Dommy Motlhanka said his school is bedevilled by challenges that hamper the desired performance of the school, citing lack of adequate classrooms, which forces some classes to use open teaching areas.

He however, said the matter has been taken up with the education authorities who have promised to address the matter. Mr Motlhanka also decried lack of participation by parents in Parents Teachers Association meetings, which he said is counter-productive in as far as results are concerned.

Mr Motlhanka also said the students’ attendance is also not satisfactory as they have the tendency of absconding from school especially just before and after major holidays. 

He therefore pleaded with parents to ensure that such a practice is nipped. The other challenge is that of water shortage in the school which, he said many times forces them to release students earlier than expected as the school would not be able to cook for them. ENDS