07 Oct 2025

Serowe residents have expressed concern about children’s awkward behaviour both at school and within the community.

As such the residents called for reinstatement of corporal punishment to address the situation.

They said this during a kgotla meeting at Sebabi ward in Serowe addressed by Serowe West MP, Mr Onalepelo Kedikilwe on Monday.

Sebabi ward Headman of arbitration Kgosi Domkrag Kewagamang also reiterated that corporal punishment should be reinstated, pointing out that administering corporal punishment on children was not meant to kill or show a sign of abhorrence but rather was an appropriate way to discipline a child in order to grow into responsible citizens.

Furthermore, he said that was the only way to restore order in schools as it had proved to be effective in the past.

He also said children were no longer controllable as some were involved in criminal activities that were detrimental to their future.

He was of the view that something needed to be done to nip the situation in the bud before it spiraled out of control.

Kgosi Kewagamang wished the same disciplinary measures that were enforced in yesteryears should be reinstated to rescue the situation.

Back then, he argued that children behaved well, respected elders and were now leading reputable organisations because parents played an active role in their upbringing.

Contrary, he said nowadays people had neglected their children leaving all responsibilities to teachers who were now burdened by their unbecoming behaviour.

Ms Edirafetse Botipeng, a resident of Ranokanyane ward, said children’s behaviour was a concern, urging all parents to ensure that children were given the utmost due care they deserved.

She concurred with Kgosi Kewagamang that corporal punishment was long overdue as it had potential to bring a long lasting solution to the problem.

Ms Botipeng, a Parent Teachers Association member at Ranokanyane Junior Secondary School, said efforts had been made at the school to bring the situation under control but to no avail.

Therefore, she remained optimistic that should corporal punishment be reinstated it would remedy the situation.

She said it was paramount for parents to search their chidlren’s bags as they carried deadly tools that put the lives of teachers and other learners in danger, adding that a knife was once found in a learner’s bag at the school.

Area MP Kedikilwe said unbecoming behaviour or indecency of children had been raised in most kgotla meetings he addressed, noting that the country was sitting on a time ticking bomb should the status quo continued.

He said teachers were judged by results they produced after examinations but people were not cognisant of wayward behaviour of children that contributed to poor academic performance in schools.

He was of the opinion that parents also contributed to children’s uncontrollable behaviour as they welcomed some of the goods they brought home. 

Thus, he called for concerted efforts by all stakeholders in dealing with children’s indiscipline at schools and within communities. ENDS