32 students drop out in Moshupa Sub District
Moshupa Sub-District is experiencing a high number of school dropouts, with more boys dropping out than girls.
Chairperson of Moshupa Sub-District Council, Peter Sethibe told The Midweek Sun that they have observed that numbers often soar in the second term of the school calendar.
According to the Sub-District, 19 school dropouts were recorded in Term Two compared to 13 in Term One of 2021. The highest number of dropouts was recorded at Emang Secondary School where seven learners dropped out.
Kgabosetso Primary School recorded four dropouts; Sesu Primary School recorded four, while Ranoi Primary School had the least with three learners dropping out.
Investigations show that majority of these students are not under the care of parents while others are delinquents. Sethibe attributed the dropouts in Term Two to the winter season.
“As we follow up each case we have realised that majority of these kids stay with their grandparents as their parents would either be in urban areas or at the lands for economic reasons.”
He added that as mitigation, schools and other stakeholders address learners and parents on the importance of education from time to time.
Sethibe said school dropouts reported in Term Two were due to desertion and no pregnancies were recorded, adding that 15 boys and four girls left school.
He encouraged all dropouts to return to school when schools re-open, explaining that the government introduced a Back To School programme to encourage all dropouts to return to school and continue their learning.
Sethibe further advised students to refuse to give up on their education in spite of the challenges they face. He also encouraged them to avoid drugs and romantic relationships as they derail them from pursuing their education and goals.