24 Sep 2013

Gaborone West South Member of Parliament, Mr Robert Masitara, has applauded Mogoditshane Senior Secondary School students for remaining level headed amidst disturbances that have been taking place in some schools around the country.

Addressing the students during the school’s prize giving ceremony recently, Mr Masitara told students that expressing displeasure through violence had never proved to be effective while dialogue was paramount in resolution of any matter.
Thus, he encouraged students to stay focused on their studies. Mr Masitara added that for them to have not engaged in such disturbing activities showed that the school had well groomed students.
He also applauded parents for the part they played in their upbringing.

Further, Mr Masitara said the role played by parents in their children’s education was very pivotal since the process of education began at home. On the other hand, Mr Masitara argued that ignoring the role played by parents in their children’s education would spell doom since they would be detaching them from the foundation and the goals to have an “educated and informed nation” as espoused in one of the Vision 2016 pillars may not be achieved.

“The tripartite relationship that involves students, teachers and parents should be encouraged since that is the only way we could ensure a bright future for our children. Let us not forget the private sector as they also play a part in learning process through the various contributions they make to schools and at ministry level,” he said to a loud applause. On other issues, Mr Masitara said technology was evolving fast that even teachers cannot be expected to know everything around it. He noted that the days when the teacher was viewed as a demigod who was the sole fountain of knowledge were over. That, he said, gave students added responsibilities of learning even in the absence of a teacher, adding students can freely research on what they were being taught.

Meanwhile, Mr Masitara told students that experts have revealed that the current trends in the job market required practical skills as opposed to academic knowledge. This, he said, should be a wake-up call to those who focused on gaining employment the traditional route “where the one with brains will be guaranteed a job upon completion of an academic degree.”
He also noted that it was time young people understood that the country’s economy will not stabilise forever, adding that with multiple challenges that the country was going through, it may not be feasible to continue paying for all students’ tuition as was currently the case.

“This atmosphere requires one to take advantage of government programmes while they are still available since there is no guarantee that they would continue to operate in the future,” he said. Mr Masitara further urged students who would be eligible to vote in the 2014 general elections to register and vote as the country’s future was in their hands. He also warned students against misuse of social media, noting that some of them may take lightly the kind of negative statements they posted on Twitter and Facebook about other people.

The school head, Ms Obusitswe Motlhageng also implored students to take their education seriously.
She however saluted them for having not rioted or resorted to other wayward behaviour while schools were facing shortage of meals.

That, she said was because she was able to engage them and explain the situation on the ground, adding that communication was vital. Like Mr Masitara, she said students, teachers and parents were the only ingredients which could ensure the success of students in their studies. The school has 43 class streams and has a population of close to 2 000 students.
 Many received academic and sporting excellence prizes which have been hailed as a step in the right direction. ENDS