15 Jan 2026

Children are shaped not only by teachers but by the society in which they grow up.

This fact came sharply into focus at Nxaraga Primary School, the lowest-performing school in the North West region. The school recorded a 12.5 per cent Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) pass rate in 2025.

The numbers, which have been steadily declining over the past few years, reflect a problem that extends far beyond the classroom.

At a meeting convened by Member of Parliament for Maun West Mr Caterpillar Hikuama, the community gathered to confront the stark reality where many parents and caregivers are not providing the guidance, discipline, and support children need to succeed.

The MP emphasised that children mirrored the behaviour and morals of the adults around them, and poor societal standards directly undermine academic achievement.

Nxaraga primary school head, Mr Kegomoditswe Mooketsi revealed that the downward trend had been persistent, with results slipping from 47 per cent in 2022 to 35 per cent in 2023, 25% per cent in 2024, and finally 12.5 per cent in 2025.

He explained that the transfer of higher-performing students to other schools often left  behind learners who struggled, further depressing the school’s overall performance.

The challenges extend into homes and communities where parents have often been absent from early-stage learning, failing to support children with homework and not doing much to cultivate a structured learning environment.

Leisure activities such as snooker games is said to consume children’s time, and lack of parental discipline compounds the problem.

Community members also noted that teachers’ engagement with alcohol affected their teaching, particularly in areas where depots operate round the clock, drawing attention away from classrooms.

MP Hikuama stressed that improving academic performance went beyond simply deploying interventions at the school.

“When parents and caregivers engage actively in their children’s lives, instilling respect, good behaviour, and study habits, children are far more likely to thrive,” he said.

Nxaraga Primary’s decline is a mirror of wider societal issues in Nxaraga. The village has been painted as one where excessive alcohol consumption and disengagement from children’s education are common, creating an environment where learners struggle to excel.

Parents, teachers, and community leaders are urged to recognise their collective role in shaping behaviour, setting standards, and creating conditions in which children can succeed.

For Nxaraga, the time to act is now, and building that foundation, MP Hikuama insisted, is the only way to reverse declining results and ensure the village’s children can reach their full potential. BOPA