Multitudes of students thronged the Borwa Junior Secondary School hall to be equipped with life skills that could help them prioritise their education over drugs, teenage pregnancy, early sexual life and other social ills.

Various speakers at the well Day event held at Bokaa cautioned students against engaging in activities that could jeopardize their future. The Wellness Day was held under the theme – Curbing drug indulgence through life skills. The school had invited various personalities to make presentations to the students and coach them.

Director, Curriculum Development, Mr Leonard Mutheto who was guest speaker on the day spoke at length about promoting positive attributes in leaners. He observed that Borwa JSS decision to host a Wellness Day demonstrate a positive Vision on the part of the school despite being faced with the challenge of students who are engaged in drugs and are falling pregnant at a young age.

He appreciated that the school was doing something to address the problem. Mutheto told students to choose their friends carefully because in most cases they are a reflection of who they are. He encouraged students to ensure that focus on their education in order to prepare for a better future. He said teachers and parents must work together to shape the future of the learners.

Deputy School Head, Ms Caroline Muchengwa had earlier indicated that her school was trying it6s best to be among the best performing schools. She said they were on position two in the last Junior Certificate results albeit with a quality pass of 40 percent.  She indicated that they are working hard to improve on their quality pass, something that was echoed by Mr Benjamin Radimo, who had shared that the Wellness Day is aimed at imparting the learners with life skills to ensure that they body and mind is focused on their education.

He was explaining the objectives of the Wellness Day, which also aims to expose students to various personalities outside school for purposes of grooming. Bonnie Kamona, Miss Botswana 2016 – 1st Princess motivated students urging to believe in who they are and avoid practices such as drug abuse which could terminate their school life and future prematurely.


Presenting on the topic – Transforming students outlook positively towards the media, Mr Aubrey Lute , Editor of the Weekend Post urged students choose their priorities right and focus on their education. He pointed out that drug use and other disturbing social ills were a major concern in schools. Speaking to the topic of the media he said the social media wave has forced the role of traditional media to change dramatically in the age of the internet.

Lute observed that today’s average student is more inclined towards leisure or entertainment rather than serious issues. He pointed out that “the world is not only looking for entertainers; there is more to life than entertainment!”. He said while generally students are not big customers of mainstream reading (serious newspapers) and attention listening (serious radio stations), today’s leaner must move from their comfort zone of watching soapies, movies, and reality television and mix them with more serious content such as current affairs, health, business etc.

While students’ relationship with social media is controversial in some instances because of the type of usage leaners adopt, Lute said it is important for parents and teachers to allow their children to access social media for academic purposes.

What role learners should play?

“n You must be responsible readers and listeners. Do not just glance at the headlines or capture the news headlines without appreciating the content and context. Most newspapers carry very educational pieces some of which can be relevant to the curriculum. Teachers at times borrow on such articles to enhance their teaching methods in classrooms hence learners must shift focus and use the media more constructively,” said Lute.

He said leaners must actively engage the media, mainstream and social, so that they improve their intellect, education, and creative value. But reading and engaging the media learning are giving themselves a chance to learn new things every day. They are in a position to gauge the country’s progress on many indices such as the economy, crime, democracy, among other indices.

Lute said social media can be a useful educational resource.

“Students should be encouraged to use social media to read serious content, (it usually directs to mainstream website with useful content that can shape the academic life of a student). But a word of caution is that students need a dedicated system at home and at school for them to use social media effectively. Parents and educators must introduce the subject of social media early so as to guide students in the right direction.

They must demonstrate how social media can be used for educational purposes. Educators and parents must show students the negative consequences of using social media inappropriately.”