28 Jan 2025

Kgosi Moleofi Modumo of Kgaphamadi near Gaborone North has expressed concern about the long and hazardous distance children in the settlement travel to attend school.

In a kgotla meeting held recently to discuss the welfare of children, Kgosi Modumo highlighted the struggles faced by learners who walked 26 kilometers round trip each day to attend school in Gaborone.

Kgosi Modumo called for immediate attention to the issue, pointing that it had implications on the children’s education, safety and well-being. He noted that Kgapamadi as a rural area where resources and infrastructure were limited, children were forced to make long and arduous commutes to attend school.

“The trek to school takes hours, and with no reliable transportation options, walking is the only means for children to get to school,” said Kgosi Modumo.

The journey is not only physically exhausting but also exposes them to various dangers, including wild animals, and extreme weather conditions, Kgosi Modumo said as he expressed concern for the safety and well-being of the children.

He said the lengthy and difficult commute was becoming a barrier to regular school attendance, adding that it was even discouraging children from attending school altogether in some cases.

Kgosi Modumo called for collaboration from government, community leaders and other stakeholders to find solutions that would make it easier for Kgapamadi children to attend school without the physical and emotional strain of long commutes.

He stressed that education should be a right for all children, regardless of geographic location or socio-economic status.

Equally concerned over the long distance children from Kgaphamadi travelled to school was Motswedi Junior School head, Ms Mpho Lesego who called for action to address the physical, emotional and academic challenges those children faced.

Ms Lesego explained that getting to school was a tideous ordeal for the children saying they usually got tired before arriving in school. “We are seeing children arrive at school already tired from their walk. It is not just about the time it takes to travel, it is the toll it takes on their mental and physical well-being, some are walking through unsafe areas or even across difficult terrain just to get to school,” Ms Lesego said.

In addition to the sheer distance, she said children were exposed to extreme weather conditions, including excessive heat during the summer, rain and freezing temperatures in the winter.

Ms Lesego explained that the situation directly impacted learners’ attendance and academic performance, since they arrived late, exhausted and unprepared to focus on their studies. By the end of the day, they struggle to retain what they learnt, hindering their academic progress, Ms Lesego said.

“When a child is physically drained, it’s hard for them to engage in the classroom activities,” she said.

She pointed out that long and regular commutes by learners could lead to absenteeism.

“We need solutions that prioritise both the safety and well-being of our learners,” she stated.

She proposed that parents considered hiring school buses to pick and drop learners as that would protect them from the danger of being exposed to possible harm, such as abduction or assault and allow them to focus on their schoolwork.

“We need to make education more accessible, especially for children who already face so many obstacles,” Ms Lesego added.

Ms Lesego also raised concerns about drug abuse and lack of proper school uniforms among leaners.

She said some learners had been experimenting with drugs, which had led to disruptions in the classroom and a decline in pupils’ behaviour.

“We are seeing an increasing number of students coming to school under the influence or showing signs of drug abuse. This affects their ability to focus, participate in class, and even impacts their relationship with peers and teachers," she explained.

She said the consequences of drug use extended far beyond the classroom, “as students’ academic performance suffers, their physical health is compromised, and their future opportunities are at risk”.

Many parents expressed concern about the safety of their children during their long walks to school, with some calling for construction of a local school and a health facility to better support child welfare and development.

On behalf of the community, the Village Development Committee chairperson for Gaborone North/Kgapamadi, Ms Caroline Motsumi acknowledged concerns and urged the government to address the issue.

Ms Motsumi highlighted the financial difficulties faced by Kgapamadi residents that made it hard for them to provide transportation or other resources for their children’s education. She called for construction of a school, and a health post to cater for the needs of the community. ENDS