RUNDU – Hompa Sofia Mundjembwe Kanyetu of the Shambyu Traditional Authority has urged teachers to mould learners into well-behaved citizens.
She said if schools put emphasis on Bible studies, these learners will fear God and, by doing so, respect elders and laws.
The Hompa said these days, even young children end up in her traditional court, for causing problems in their communities and so forth, and that does not sit well with her.
She made these remarks during the recent gala dinner at Kayengona village to raise funds for the school hall of Faustinus Haididira Combined School.
The school raised over N$160 000, and received a goat and a cow.
“Teachers, let’s not be lazy when it comes to teaching our learners at schools. I’m saying this because when we were growing up, we were taught Bible studies so that we fear God. Since I took on the reigns as Hompa, in our traditional court, on a weekly basis, we see young school-going children who are coming from your schools,’’ she said.
“Young people are causing havoc, so I’m urging you, teachers, to encourage our learners to fear God and their parents,’’ she said.
The Hompa told teachers that having a life and career does not mean they may now neglect these children.
“Teach them so that they also become good, responsible people in our society. Tell them that you also came from humble beginnings in classrooms, and you became who you are today. You will see that two or three will begin to understand the knowledge and wisdom, and they will focus on school, and stay away from ill behaviours and activities,’’ she noted.
During the gala dinner, deputy prime minister John Mutorwa also spoke to teachers, learners and parents.
“These different learners come from different homesteads and villages – and your responsibility, as a parent, must not stop as soon as your child has been registered in the school. Your responsibility is to follow up inside the school. The doors are never locked,” he said.
“Go and follow up with teachers, and see his or her books. Ask if your child reaches school, and how they are performing and behaving at school. The Hompa told us that in the traditional court even young people are being trialled; school-going children, so the responsibility of a parent should also follow their children where they have gone to see what is happening there. If they are doing as expected of them, teachers will then tell you that yes, they do get to school and [about] their performance,’’ Mutorwa.
He noted that the duties of teachers, particularly those who are serious about their work, are not an easy task, so they must work together with parents.
He said teachers also go through a lot, and need parents to support them, as they deal with children from various backgrounds and with different conditions, so teachers should find out what they are going through, so they are assisted.
He said for learners to fully exercise their right to education, they should also participate in it by paying attention and respecting their teachers.
“The point is that rights must go together with obligations and responsibilities.”