11 Apr 2017

Parents of students at Thobega Junior Secondary School in Mmankgodi have decried poor performance by the school, which they attributed to writing too many notes, a practice they said consumed most of students’ time at home and leaves them no time to study.

The issue came to light during a consultative PTA meeting that was held to evaluate the school’s 2016 JC academic results and map a way forward.

A parent, Ms Mmaphala Tsie, lamented that her child was always writing notes at home and wondered when students were allowed time to study.

“I cannot even send him to do domestic chores because he is always seated at the table writing notes. He says that if he does not finish them he gets punished,” she added.

Another parent, Ms Mary Mogorosi shared the sentiments, saying her child was always having handouts for notes for different subjects, which she copied to her notebooks.

Ms Mogorosi further said what was worrying most was that students shared those handouts or pamphlets. Before her child finishes copying notes, another knocks at the door saying that it is their turn to get the pamphlet, Ms Mogorosi added.

Parents therefore pleaded with teachers to come up with ways that students can take notes in a reasonable way to give them time to study at home.

In her response, deputy school head, Ms Janet Mogotwe explained that taking notes was important as it helped the students to have a record of what they were taught in class, which would be useful in future when they are preparing for examinations.

She however did acknowledge that the nine subjects that students were examined on might be too much, especially if the notes were given at the same time.

She nonetheless promised parents that teachers would discuss how they can address the issue.

For his part, the school’s alumni, Mr Monamodi Moswane urged parents to take responsibilities of their children’s academic work.

He said even in his time of schooling in the late 90s, they wrote notes. He therefore cautioned parents and guardians not to allow students to be lazy with their school work, saying taking notes is part of life of a student.

Meanwhile, the school head, Mr Boemo encouraged parents to desist from sending others on their behalf during report collection.

He stressed the importance of parents and guardians to monitor their children’s academic progress.

He urged parents to visit their children at school to see how they are doing and to avoid coming to school only during PTA meetings and report collection days. ENDS