09 Jul 2024

Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) chairperson at Makalamabedi Junior Secondary School, Ms Gaothobogwe Fanabe, has raised concern over the poor state of the school, calling for urgent attention.

She said the school, which opened doors in 1991, was operating under unfavourable conditions, which had affected teaching and learning, noting that the facility needed thorough maintenance.

Ms Fanabe, who made the remarks during a kgotla meeting addressed by MP for Maun East, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile, on Monday, noted that the structures including the hostels were old and not conducive for learning.

Ms Fanabe said ablution blocks were not in use because of shortage of water in the school while the hostels were crowded.

Ms Fanabe said hostels for girls and boys were supposed to accommodate 96 learners each but had accommodated 243 girls and 194 boys, with shortage of beds and mattresses.

“This is not healthy for our children. We want the relevant ministry to urgently come to our rescue,” she added.

Furthermore, Ms Fanabe said most pupils admitted on boarding basis were from areas such as Shorobe, Matsaudi and Sankoyo and complained about lack of parental support on children’s education because of the distance barrier.

She also decried poor performance at the school indicating that for first term, Form Threes’ overall pass rate was below 10 per cent. Another resident, Ms Tshepiso Fanabe, concurred that the school needed urgent attention saying it was old, lacked resources and was underperforming.

She called on the government to come up with some interventions to create a habitable environment for learners.

Responding to the comments, MP Kekgonegile said he was aware of the situation at the school noting that he had taken up the issue with the relevant minister.

He said and he once proposed that the school be handed over to the North West region given that 90 per cent of its learners were from the region.

“I believe that the school can be served better under our region because the school admits pupils from areas of Sankoyo, Shorobe and Matsaudi, which falls under the North West,” he said.

However, since Boteti had been upgraded as a fully-fledged district, he hoped things would change for the better.

Mr Kekgonegile also implored parents to play a part in their children’s education emphasising that education required concerted efforts from all stakeholders for better academic performance.

Principal Social Worker, Ms Kerileng Senwamadi, advised parents to actively support their children’s education by fostering a positive learning environment at home.

Parenting, she said, could have a huge impact on a child’s education hence she encouraged parents to change the way they have been doing things and to start supporting what teachers were doing to mould children.

She said parents should be seen working closely with teachers to address challenges such as drug abuse, indiscipline and bullying among others that continued to have a major impact on learners’ education because of lack of parental guidance.

“Charity begins at home and as such as parents you should be at the forefront to instill discipline and good morals at home. Some children usually take advantage of parents who neglect their studies to engage in unacceptable conduct. As parents you should visit schools and meet with teachers to see how they could help address the needs of your children,” advised Ms Senwamadi. Ends