21 May 2018

Parents Teachers Associations (PTA) have been called to lead the fight against drugs in schools.

Deputy permanent secretary for regional operations in the Ministry of Basic Education, Mr Simon Coles made the call during the launch of the South East region PTA meeting in Ramotswa recently.

Mr Coles challenged PTAs to come up with strategies to eliminate the existence of drugs in schools.

“If you can fight that battle and win it, you will have done a lot,” Mr Coles said to the south east region PTA members.

 He alleged that parents were pushing for drugs into the schools and children were selling such drugs to other children, hence they already know the target.

Mr Coles noted that all members of the society should be concerned about the declining morality in society.

 “The role of the parents does not stop at the school gate, neither does the role of the teacher stop at the school gate,” he said urging both parents and teachers to work together to improve the school learning environment.

He encouraged school heads to open gates for parents as well as members of the PTA committees.

Mr Coles regretted that schools have lost the role of parents in the running of schools, adding that at no stage had the government said the community must stay away from schools.

He further encouraged PTAs to remain autonomous and be accountable and stated that PTA membership ‘is not a political mileage or self-glorification.’

 Mr Michael Mdojwa said both the parents and the teachers have roles to play in developing the child, hence the need for active and vibrant PTA committees.

“By virtue of you being a parent, you are part of the education system,” he highlighted.

Therefore the national PTA committee is a step by the government to re-emphasise the role of parents in the education sector.

He stated that the PTA executive would ensure that parents become closer to the school and participate in the education sector.

He stated that some of the challenges faced by the school could not be there, had the parents played their roles in the education sector.

Gamalete senior chief representative, Kgosi Motlhanka Mokgosi said ‘the national PTA is important as it will strengthen and support the lower PTA structure in the schools’.

He stressed that it was not possible that the children could do well in their schools if they do not realise their parents’ involvement. ENDS