Africa-Press – Botswana. North West District residents have challenged leadership to devise strategies that will address poor academic performance in schools.
Residents voiced concerns during a kgotla meeting addressed by the district leadership that poor performance was a yearly occurrence in the region, especially in the Junior Certificate Examinations (JCE) and Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE).
The bad results, they said, was the reason behind bad behavior.
A resident, Mr Noah Kebafitlhetse called on politicians to collaborate with other stakeholders to improve the education system.
He said it was every parents’ dream to see their children succeed in life but that would not happen if the status quo remained.
Mr Kebafitlhetse said performance in JCE had declined drastically and parents were unhappy with way things were.
Sharing Mr Kebafitlhetse’s sentiments, Ms Grace Thaba called for a paradigm shift.
She also complained about noise pollution across villages and said that too, might be a contributing factor to poor academic performance.
Excessive noise at alcohol outlets and in the streets, she said was disturbing to many, including learners.
“Excessive noise has a negative effect on a child’s ability to learn and I urge relevant authorities to take action against bars and alcohol outlets owners who play music beyond stipulated times,” stated Ms Thaba.
North West District Council chairperson, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho told residents that they were equally concerned about poor academic performance in the district.
In an effort to address the situation, he said, in 2019 they engaged the regional education director who called an Education Pitso in Maun to engage all stakeholders on betterment of education in the district.
During the forum, he said, they came up with various strategies and they over-emphasised on strengthening partnerships in order to attain enhancement of the education system.
Mr Ntsogotlho said partnerships were crucial in quality-oriented education appreciating that the Ministry of Basic Education was making efforts to provide conducive environment for teaching and learning as well as accessible, equitable and quality education.
He called on parents to play their role in their children studies citing that their involvement in school activities could have a positive impact on leanres’ academic achievement.
Parents were also urged to promote positive behaviour.
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