15 Jan 2017

Francistown East MP Mr Buti Billy has urged residents of Satellite North to contribute to the education and welfare of their children.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting recently, he expressed disappointment that some students allegedly dodged school and hide in nearby water stream.

He said it is important that parents join hands with the school authorities in building the future of their children as they are the ones who know them better.

Mr Billy encouraged parents to visit schools regularly to discuss the academic performance and behaviour of their children, noting by doing so they will be giving teachers the motivation to help students work hard and earn good marks.

The MP further urged parents to change their attitude towards the upbringing of children, saying they should know the whereabouts of their children all the time and ensure that they go to school wearing proper and clean school uniform.

He warned some residents to stop selling alcohol and drugs to youngsters as this also contributes to truancy and poor performance.

Furthermore, he urged them to encourage children who show interest in sport as they could earn a living through sporting activities.

He added that giving them a chance to explore their talent can be beneficiary especially when the child is not performing well academically.

MP Billy urged the youth to refrain from giving up when times are hard, adding it is their responsibility to fight for their financial freedom.

Some youth had complained that in most cases they are discouraged by set terms and conditions when they apply for government programmes and they end up losing hope of getting assistance.

The MP encouraged them to never back down as the government has initiated the programmes to help them to build better lives.

For his part, the Ward Development Committee chairperson Mr Botsanang Ngenda expressed his disappointment in parents who do not want to take part in disciplining their children, raising concern about the behaviour of children in the area.

He said alcohol and drug abuse is on the rise amongst youngsters, which paints the location in a bad light, therefore it is upon every parent to try and address the problem.

Mr Ngenda said disciplining a child is the beginning of shaping them into better people. BOPA