09 Nov 2014

The Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development (MOEsd), Mr Moiseraele Goya has condemned students’ bad conduct in schools.

Following the disturbances and near rioting at Good Hope Senior Secondary School on November 4, Mr Goya addressed a special Parents Teachers Association (PTA) meeting on  November 6.

He said government played a vital role in strengthening education at all levels in order to provide knowledge and skills appropriate to go across education and training levels and build a sustainable knowledge based economy.

He noted that the ministry’s current budget stood at P9.2 billion and that the ministry continuously got a larger portion as government aimed to uphold high educational standards.

He said contribution towards the achievement of this vision lay to a great extent in committed and dedicated leadership of teachers’ parents, leaners and all other key players.

Mr Goya also said teachers had a responsibility to build future leaders by transforming young ones into constructive thinkers and responsible citizens. He urged the students to maintain and uphold order and discipline during their learning period for the betterment of their future.

Furthermore, he said the use of alcohol, drugs, involvement in sexual activities as well as vandalism of school properties should be stopped “You should refrain from such social ills as they impede your performance,” he said.

Mr Goya also cautioned teachers that, they were meant to protect the students but if any teacher was involved in sexual relationships with students they would face the music.

He advised students to form a Student Representative Council (SRC) as it would serve as a platform they could exploit to elevate their grievances to the school management.

“It’s better to jaw jaw than to war war,” he said. He warned them that if the mischievous acts could continue the ministry would be forced to impose stiff punishment. He also urged them to utilise other supporting groups such as Dikgosi and whistle blowers on any cases that might lead to destruction.

Mr Goya lamented that the situation needed a turnaround strategy, which evidently involved all the critical stakeholders, involving school head and management team, Kgosi, PTA and any other relevant village authorities.

On other issues, he commended teachers for their resilience and persistence they had displayed during their teaching tenure albeit poor working environment involving inadequate water supply within their vicinity.

Mr Goya said his ministry was working round the clock to find a permanent solution as currently they had engaged the Quality Audit Team from the Department of Building and Engineering Services to assess the situation.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the school head, Mr Molefe Mapila condemned the rebellious behaviour shown by the students and appealed to them to find the right personnel to channel their grievances.

A parent, Mr Golebetswe Kgengwenyane also appealed to the students to focus on their studies and surrender the “earthly fantasies” and also called for good working relationship between students and the school management.

In his closing remarks, Kgosi Lotlamoreeng II  of Barolong thanked the ministry for their proactive response regarding the misconduct of the students and condemned what he called “brutal beatings on students.” He urged the students to recollect themselves and act responsibly. ENDS