28 Nov 2013

 The number of students at Makolojane Primary School who are orphans and are absconding from school has increased, the school's deputy head, Ms Boitshepo Rantshabo has said.

Speaking during an event in Serowe on November 26, Ms Rantshabo said the increasing numbers of such cases was worrying. Though they had tried to find out why the numbers were increasing, she said they had failed as some of the concerned students faiedl to justify why they absconded from school.

However, she noted that harsh living conditions and lack of counseling were possible impediments to such students attending school consistently. Some of them, she said were probably not well looked after saying some guardians had the tendency to neglect them.

She further said such students were susceptible to social ills such as abuse, alcohol and drug abuse. Meanwhile, she highlighted that out of 443 orphans at Makolojane primary school; about 296 were not registered with Social and Community Development (S and CD) department.

Such anomaly, she said makes it difficult for them to be provided with care needed. She said that had shown lack of monitoring on the part of guardians adding that they (guardians) should help government better the lives of the orphans.

She said it was the responsibility of all to help vulnerable children. She therefore urged guardians to treat vulnerable children with utmost care and equality adding that by so doing they would be boosting their self-confidence.

The celebration which was held under the theme “Sharing a joyous moment: a right,” was meant to make orphans realise that like any other children they deserve to feel the essence of love and compassion. Ends