Ephraim Keoreng
9 October 2008
The Ministry of Education says in its Pastoral Policy that schools should distinguish between punishment and discipline.
The policy says that discipline should be viewed as a process of attaining self-mastery and self-control. It explains that students, who have learned to be accountable for their actions are much more likely to be well behaved.
The policy views students' involvement in school governance as an integral part of an effective pastoral programme. This is because a school exists for students.
"They are the key customers and should be involved in decision making in order to enhance ownership, accountability and responsibility. Students' representations in School Pastoral Council (SPC), various committees and the existence of both within the school are essential. The policy advocates for involvement of students in 70% of the committees," says the policy document.
Members of staff are also important and should be involved in the formulation, execution and monitoring of school policies. Involvement in the pastoral policy is seen as a way of promoting ownership of programmes by the general staff, thus leveraging success.
In this regard, the Pastoral Policy advocates for the involvement and participation of all staff members in each school.
The policy says parents are an integral part of the school system. They look after students especially outside school times, hence their involvement in the policy is highly necessary. "It is a historical fact that Batswana considered a child to be the responsibility of every member of the community and for the child to be accountable to every adult.
While we may not turn back the hands of time, the lessons drawn from that is, it takes more than one party to raise a child effectively. In recognition of these, the policy advocates for involvement and active participation of parents in school governance and the education of their children," the policy says.
The policy asserts that all schools should have a school Pastoral Council to drive the Pastoral Programme. The council will oversee the general progress made by the school especially on matters of academic performance and student welfare. "The council would set operational parameters and evaluate progress.
The Pastoral Council may not act contrary to existing statutes. Since this is an advisory body, which guides the processes in the school at a fairly high level its meeting sshould at most be three in a year. The committee (council) should comprise of strategic community members with the school offering secretariat functions, and having the following representatives; students' representatives, staff representatives and parents representatives," says the policy document.
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