MASERU – With a mix of enjoyment, coupled with a little bit of fear and worry, various sectors of the society shared their sentiments regarding activities in schools happening across the country since this week.
Speaking with the Agency on Wednesday, Life high school Principal, Mrs. ‘Mathabelo Mpharoe highlighted the significance of the event which has received confirmation by the Minister of Education.
She said this year, the event has been bigger and better with Churches having joined the move as Christians come to churches dressed in uniforms, bringing along school materials so as to help support education of a child, especially orphans in different schools and communities.
She noted that her worry and concern has always been adults who wear school uniforms and celebrate the activity also by drinking alcohol and smoking. However, she alluded that it seems lately that parents are going to schools as opposed to their own gatherings, where still in uniforms drink and smoke, the behaviour is slowly changing.
“It is clear that the rate at which some adults act irresponsibly, having to go to school now will force them to change behaviour.”
According to her, previous years have been worse, adding things are slowly changing, urging parents and guardians to continue introspecting and not taint their image through use and abuse of alcohol when wearing uniforms either during or after events.
In the same note, the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) Public Relations Officer, Ms. Mary Mokemane indicated that it cannot be acceptable that some choose to attend back to school activities yet drunk at the same time, as this is not good impartation on future leaders (learners).
“We must lead by example and consider supporting the move aimed at helping the whole nation through government and other stakeholders attain quality education.
“It is during this period of back to school activities that we would be looking forward to seeing our parents and guardians dressed in uniforms, visiting us and becoming part of classrooms,” a grade 10 learner at Holy Cross high school has said.
The learner who was interviewed by the Agency during the back to school activity led by the Minister of Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI) opted for anonymity citing personal reasons indicating the event is exciting and empowering.
He stipulated that it would be good if parents and guardians working in different Ministries, parastatals and entities, visiting schools stay sober during and after the activity.
Some men and women selling alcohol near Pitso Ground Police Station told the Agency that they do sell alcohol to parents and guardians in uniforms, especially this week.
Mr. Tlali Mosala stated that the law prohibits them from selling alcohol to people under 18, therefore it will be a violation of other peoples’ rights who are above 18 due to the fact that they are wearing uniform.
However, she appealed to customers to also act responsibly, ensuring that they bring along private clothing so that after these activities, they can be able to drink and support their businesses.
The MoET initiated the annual back to school initiative January 2023 to inspire the society to contribute to universal quality education in the country as well as to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) otherwise Agenda 2030.
The African Union (AU) launched AU Decade of Education 2026-2035, hence the year 2026 signals commencement of the strategy concentrating on education transformation by uplifting the teaching profession and aligning education with latest modern technologies through inclusivity and quality including relevant education in a dynamic world.
ENDS/AM/BM