01 May 2024

Student leadership has profound impact on shaping schools and society, as it empowers students to lead by cultivating their leadership skills and nurturing their sense of urgency, confidence and responsibility.  

This was said by Dawn Bell Academy and New Dawn Publishers founding director, Ms Ndiko Muzila during the National Educational Leadership Summit that was held on Saturday, to celebrate the essence of student leadership in enhancing and contributing to students’ personal growth and development.

Themed, Redefining Student Leadership to Birth Sustainable Impact and Strategic Relations in Education, the summit was also meant to empower students to take ownership of their learning and lead initiatives that would benefit their school community and society at large.

“Student leadership is not just a title or position. It’s about influence, service and making a positive difference in the lives of others,” said Ms Muzila.

She said student leadership was a set of values and a way of life that prepared individuals’ mindset for life challenges.

Ms Muzila stated that the importance of student leadership could not be over-emphasised, as it was a cornerstone of a thriving school community for a studying culture of respect, collaboration, innovation and excellence.

She pointed out that when students assumed leadership roles, they did not only enhance their own personal growth and development, but also contributed to the collective success of their peers and the schools.  

She explained that student leadership embodied two crucial dimensions that were essential for its effectiveness, which are students being led well and students being empowered to lead well.

Ms Muzila encouraged school managers, teachers and parents to play their roles by being conscious of what they deposited on students, as leaders.

She said when students are taught and led well, with integrity, they absorb integrity and lead fellow students with integrity, as well.

She challenged students holding leadership roles to embrace and seize the opportunities they had to inspire, change and leave a lasting impact.

She emphasised the significance of providing students with strong role models, mentors and guidance.

“Effective leadership starts with exemplary leaders who inspire, motivates and guide students towards their full potential,” said Ms Muzila.

She stressed that when students were led well, they learnt by example and internalised the qualities of good leadership, such as integrity, empathy, resilience and vision.

A teacher at Ledumang Senior Secondary School, Mr Baboloki Ramando advised parents and teachers to be mindful that the 21st century students were different in behaviour and style of studying, due to their advancement and exposure to modern technology, as well as their upbringing.

For that reason, Mr Ramando, who is also the school’s Disciplinary Committee chairperson, said addressing students’ indiscipline, which resulted in poor academic performance, required concerted efforts between school management, student leadership and parents.

“Involving both student leadership, and parents, in the school’s decision-making processes is important to ensure there is no disconnect,” he added.

He pointed out that in some cases, students’ indiscipline began at home, “hence the need to involve parents for students to take responsibility of all their actions”.

Mr Ramando indicated that responding swiftly to students’ indiscipline, both at home and school, was key to ensuring the schools’ environment remained conducive for learning.

The summit also featured the launch of a book that speaks on student leadership, titled: “The Distinctive Tie”. The book is penned by International Business Specialist, who was also the summit organiser, Mr Tumelo Asele Jr. ENDS