Africa-Press – Botswana. Parents have been implored to take interest in their children’s school work in order to achieve academic excellence.
Airing their views during a kgotla meeting addressed by Maun MP, Mr Caterpillar Hikuama in Shashe Botshabelo- West ward, Maun on recently, residents wanted to know why Shashe Primary School performed dismally every year in comparison to other schools in the village.
In response the school head, Ms Enayang Kekgonegile stated that parents’ involvement in school activities was lacking.
She stated that only a few made an effort and that created communication gaps between the school and parents.
Ms Kekgonegile said unity among teachers, pupils and parents was the only way that could bring positive results.
She said Shashe had a learner enrollment of 786 but only about 100 parents attended meetings.
The school head stated that they introduced a system where Standard Seven classes did not close during school holidays but that failed because learners failed to turn up for classes even though teachers were available.
Moreover, she said that even though the school had three reception classes, parents did not register their children, which made it difficult for them to learn Setswana since they conversed in different languages.
Ms Kekgonegile acknowledged that teachers had their shortcomings brought about by welfare, which were being addressed.
She said the school obtained 57 per cent for the PSLE in 2024 and 62.4 percent in 2023.
For his part, Mr Hikuama said parents were an essential component of the learning hence encouraged them work with teachers. He said Shashe-Botshabelo ward comprised a large population rendering the school as one of the highly concentrated in Maun.
Kgosi Princelow Shashe of Shashe-Botshabelo ward said the issue of parents not being actively involved in their children’s education was common even at Tshwaragano Community Junior Secondary School, which enrolled learners from Shashe and other Maun West wards.
He revealed that in many cases he had received complaints from parents about their children’s behaviour and wanted customary court to discipline them adding that upon asking them about the child’s teacher and class they were clueless on such.
Moreover, he shared an observation that some parents did not groom their children to bath and be presentable in school.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
