21 Oct 2018

While some members of the society say corporal punishment should be administered in schools to tackle indiscipline among students, psychologist Ms Thandie Malebang has a different view. 

Her take is that students be monitored and guided. She offers her professional services to various schools voluntarily.  

After being spotted officiating at various schools’ functions, including Denjebuya Junior Secondary School’s prize giving in Tutume, Ms Malebang revealed to BOPA that she was a partner of the school and many others. 

Ms Malebang said the main purpose of her role in schools was to groom disciplined learners. She stated that she was not only invited to prize giving ceremonies to deliver speeches, but there was a lot she was doing behind the scenes prior to ceremonies. 

“There are a lot of subjects that require the teachers’ attention in schools, and they must be assisted to deal with some of the negative attitudes adopted by students,” said Ms Malebang. 

Whenever she finds time she knocks on doors at schools, while other schools contact her on recommendation.

She started that motivating students in Francistown’s Goldmine Junior Secondary School in 2012, and since then she attended to most schools in the north. 

“My target in a year is to reach out to 100 schools, but I have only reached 67 in 2018,” Ms Malebang said. 

Ms Malebang’s scope is diverse when dealing with students such as dangers of drugs and substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, peer pressure, examination preparedness, career guidance, emotional intelligence, self mastery and general motivation.

She stated that teenage pregnancy was rampant in both junior and senior secondary schools. Some of the reasons attributed to it are not adhering to counseling from parents and teachers. 

Also, female students look for approval from wrong people.

On curbing the problem of drugs and substance abuse, Ms Malebang suggested that monitoring of students should be continuous, noting that those who were already in drugs should undergo therapy.

In addition to learners, Ms Malebang explained that she also motivates staff members on issues of self mastery, work ethics, professionalism, resilience skills and emotional intelligence. ENDS