21 Mar 2024

The Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) is worried about pupils who indulge in drugs as that affects teaching and compromises leaners academic performance.

BTU deputy president, Mr Kenathata Dipogiso, stated during a roundtable discussion on learner substance abuse in Mochudi recently, where noted that such had potential to destroy the future of coming generations.

Mr Dipogiso said learners who persistently abuse drugs often experienced an array of problems including academic difficulties and health related problems.

He said challenges emanating from the use of drugs by pupils had rendered schools difficult to manage due to bad behaviour.

“We have many instances where learners assault their colleagues and teachers. The level of substance abuse by learners reported in Kgatleng jurisdiction is horrendous and a cause for concern, we really need to do something about it,” said Mr Dipogiso.

He called for the use of tripartite system of learning which includes parents, teachers and pupils collaboration, for the betterment of academic results.

Giving an overview of the event, BTU secondary vice president, Ms Galefetolwe Dithobane, said the purpose of the roundtable discussions was to discuss and come up with a way forward on how society could deal with the situation of recreational drug use and violence among learners.

Ms Dithobane said BTU, as a critical stakeholder in the education system was concerned with the escalating cases of substance use in many schools, noting that poor performance in learning institutions might be attributed to the phenomenon.

She said safety was important for the entire school community if quality academic results were to be realised.

The theme: Safe Schools; A Gateway for Academic Excellence, Ms Dithobane said was appropriate for the day, to collectively come up with the solutions for the problem.

“At the end of our discussions, teachers will be equipped with the skills to help affected learners, thus making them more productive and ultimately achieving the desired academic excellence. We have partnered with stakeholders who are equally passionate about eradicating drugs, in the interest of leaners,” said Ms Dithobane

Sergeant Adam Abofilwe from the Drug Enforcement Agency said drugs such as CAT and dagga were  prevalent in schools across the country with 18 cases recorded in 2022 and 34 in the year 2023.

Mr Abofilwe stated that schools were target markets for drug dealers and that parents must work with teachers to ensure the matter was addressed.

He also encouraged parents to support their children and also that government must move beyond child friendly to stakeholder- teacher friendly schools so that solutions on how to eliminate drugs could be devised.

Bakgatla deputy paramount chief, Kgosi Bana Sekai said that the issue of drug use especially among secondary school children in Kgatleng was rife and needed collective efforts from parents and teachers.

“Drug use destroys the future of our children, let us all be encouraged to contribute to excellent academic results of our children by ensuring law and order in the school environment is maintained,” said Kgosi Sekai.

He encouraged parents to enquire about services offered by drug rehabilitation centres as DEA and Botswana Substance Abuse Support Network (BOSASNET), on how best to help children.

Contributing to the discussions, Kgatleng District chief education officer, Ms Lesego Masitara said the issue of drug use among learners needed parent teacher collaboration, to build children emotionally.

Ms Masitara said violence and drug abuse by some learners had created fear among fellow pupils and their teachers, leading to an unconducive learning environment and compromising excellence.

She said the presence of guidance and counselling personnel, Ministers Fraternal and organisations like Stepping Stones International assisted in addressing the issue. ENDS