29 May 2017

Being a student representative enables students to develop their leadership skills, says civil activist, community volunteer and social entrepreneur, Mr Jacob Kelebeng.

During the Motaung Junior Secondary School SRC forum in Kang recently, Mr Kelebeng said gains would only be realised if students were permitted to take part in decision making processes within the school.

He said students could only learn and improve on being an active and informed citizen if opportunities were made available for them within the school environment.

“Student councils succeed only if schools have a vision of students as active partners in their own education rather than just as recipients of it. Therefore, student councils can never succeed in an unfriendly undemocratic environment,’’ he said.

He said genuine democracy in schools generated motivation and commitment that extends beyond the classroom.

He noted that participation in decision making at the school level meant that students had an active role in the decisions and the implementation of education policies and practices of key issues that determine the nature of the world in which they live.

“It is only through promotion of these elements that the school will deliver a successful cream of the crop and influential future citizens,’’ he said.

Mr Kelebeng pointed out that the SRC should be the voice of the student body, and a method for students to be able to collectively discuss, debate and help to decide on a broad range of areas such as facilities, rules, curriculum and student well-being in alignment with school regulations.

He noted that becoming an SRC member was not a duty but an obligation which called for representation of students interests and needs in various ways that would bring about positive changes for the benefit of the school community.

He encouraged members of Motaung SRC to build relationships and community spirit through active participation in lunch time activities, peer support, tutoring, mediation, inter-school activities and forums.

Mr Kelebeng emphasised the need for SRCs to actively participate in all aspects of community voluntarism at a tender age as it provided good preparation for life beyond school.

For his part, Motaung JSS school head, Mr Tahwa Elecce noted that reputation and respect takes time to build, but takes little time to break, and advised SRC members to be well disciplined at all times and lead by example. ENDS