Africa-Press – Namibia. THE poor behaviour of pupils at schools, especially at Walvis Bay, has been sparking debate in communities.
Parents, teachers and law-enforcement agencies have been trying hard to solve issues regarding discipline.
Theresia Goagoses, the principal of Flamingo Primary School at Walvis Bay, on Saturday said pupils’ lack of respect for teachers is due to the elimination of Bible studies as a subject at schools, children’s rights, parents discussing teachers, and dysfunctional families.
“Pupils speak to teachers, leaders and their own parents with disrespect. You will not believe the words in the classrooms towards teachers.
“Pupils are smoking cigarettes, while drugs are a regular problem in schools,” she said.
Goagoses, who has been teaching for 36 years, said today’s teachers are powerless.
“Some families have negative views on education and share their views openly with pupils. It is discouraging. Teachers are being discussed at home in the presence of pupils, and it interferes with discipline.
“In the old days teachers and pastors were respected. Now, teachers’ hands are tied because children have many rights,” she said.
She said many social issues contribute to the lack of discipline in schools.
“Parents are fighting and getting divorced. Single mothers are not protecting their children against their lovers or husbands. Some pupils have lost family members to death.
“Some want to impress their friends, without considering their social and financial backgrounds.
These unstable times we are in are confusing pupils. Parents need to start getting involved,” she said.
Goagoses said schools try to engage parents, but parent meetings are poorly attended.
She also believes Bible studies in the past helped pupils differentiate between right and wrong.
“There was peace in houses and at school. The word of God gave us direction. Then it was replaced by religious and moral education. We started teaching them different religions. Let us bring back Bible studies,” she said.
She urged parents to start taking responsibility for their children and stop blaming the government.
“A teacher builds on what is started at home. Teach your children to respect others on the street and at school. Teachers should also not disrespect pupils,” she said.
Some parents at Walvis Bay on Monday said they do not know how to discipline their children.
“What can you use as a measure of discipline when you have tried talking, keeping the child away from the wrong friends and social evils, and nothing helps?
“We do not know where discipline starts and stops, because you are afraid of being arrested for disciplining your own child,” one of the parents, Martha Nehemia, said.
Sarah Thomas*, another parent, said: “We are a respectful family and raised our children well. We teach them to respect elders and their teachers, but you are not with the child the whole day.
“You will just get a shock when you are summoned to school and told what the child did. The child then threatens to run to the police if you try to discipline him.”
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