02 Oct 2013

Parents have been urged to support and encourage their children for them to perform well at school, especially now when they are about to sit for their examination.

This was said by the Principal Education Officer for Kweneng Region, Mr Mokwadi Tese when addressing a meeting of parents, teachers and Standard 7 students of Suping Primary School recently. In a motivational talk , Mr Tese implored the parents, teachers and students to work cooperatively together to bring about the desired results the school so much yearns for.

He said it was incumbent upon each to do their part to deliver the hopes and dreams shared, especially for the children who had pledged to deliver a 100 per cent pass rate come year end. Starting off with the students he counselled them to listen to their parents.

Quoting from the Bible he said it was their duty as children to obey instructions of their parents who have their interests at heart. He said it was imperative that students show respect to their elders.

“Ill-mannered children are a source of shame to their parents, community and constituency. Charity begins at home,” he warned.

He gave the example of hardened criminals, saying their habits were picked up from an early age starting by stealing small things such as pencils. And it was irresponsible parents who never questioned their children about property they have not acquired for them.

He said those parents would accept such silly reasons as when they are told ‘ke itsheletse’ (it’s a lost and found item) every time their child bring something home. What they might not realise then is they are raising a criminal who might end up sending each one of them to jail. He advised that poverty is not a permanent state as people can graduate from it by getting a good education.

“Hard work and determination can take you to where you wish to be,” he said. The parents were asked to help teachers develop students of good character that would add value to society and country; instead of tearing it asunder due to undesirable habits.

“It starts with small things like giving up encumbrances when called for meeting at the school to hear about their child’s progress,” he told them. For each time they miss one, he said, a good part of the student is lost when outstanding issues are not resolved well on time. He noted that teachers cannot be expected to shoulder the burden of parenting when biological parents are available and capable. He advised parents to not expect government to shoulder everything when they too should be playing their part.

The rousing address, which was laden with dramatic antics and arresting examples, included borrowing all sorts of item; shoals, bags, pencil cases, from the listening crowd kept everyone alert, mesmerised. They could not help but follow every antic as he drove ‘hidden issues’ that made for a pause for thought. It had both adult and child clapping and laughing ever so often when the jest would be a reflection of what happens in many homes.

He stated that the foundation of any education system is the primary school setting.  “Children who progress from this setting move on with habits formed and set at this level,” he informed his listeners. He even delved in a bit of child psychology that got parents thinking when he wrung out issues they thought were inconsequential. He probed on the psychological barriers that negate children’s growth and serves to wreck a child’s potential and bright future.

What parents say might seem innocent enough, but the questioning minds tend to push the boundaries of innocence beyond the explanatory. The anecdotes kept flowing as he mimicked situations that families usually encounter but have no clue to the effect they have on children. To some parents, what might seem a small rebuke of a child might linger for a while in his mind hence disturbing his studying pattern as they tend to contemplate deeply.

He gave an example when chiding a child who had refused to perform a certain duty by saying words such as “o tla ya go e tsaya kwa ga mmago yo e tla reng ke go roma o tsamae” (you will get that (whatever the child would be asking of his parent) from the mother who you will listen to!) It might seem trivial from an adult perspective but to a child, they get to “recall these kinds of statements at the most inopportune of times such as when they could be in classes.”

This is so because as children they are still learning much about the world around them, so every little bit of information no matter how seemingly trivial is deeply scrutinised and conclusions reached, no matter how wide off the mark. He surmised by pointing out parents are expected to provide an environment that is optimal for a child’s growth and enjoyment. Beyond that is up to the student to pick up the cudgel to determine the kind of person they wish to be.

Vice chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), Mr Selebalo Dipele hoped the parents had listened and understood what was said. Despite being new in their positions, he said, the PTA has been active in dealing with some challenges faced by the school.

He stated they have voluntarily come together as the PTA to clean the school toilets after they realised they were unhygienic. They continue pushing the Council to help them with outstanding matters beyond their financial capacity. He said they have learned from the visit by the Education Officer and hope to apply those lessons going forward. The School Head, Ms. Sinah Moswete said they too as teachers were motivated after that presentation by their senior colleague.

She was happy that he had seen it fit to come visit them at such a crucial time when they were preparing the students for that final huddle across the primary school line. ENDS