By Ncaba Ntshakala
As the festive season and school holidays approach, educators across Eswatini are raising the alarm, urging students to take extra care of themselves and avoid behaviours that could jeopardize their future.
With the school year nearly concluded and examinations wrapping up, teachers are emphasizing the importance of self-discipline and caution, particularly considering concerning trends visible on social media platforms.
Ngcebo Hlophe, an educator from a school in Manzini, voiced his concerns regarding the influences that students may encounter during the holiday period
. He warned that this time of the year, while celebratory, often comes with temptations that can lead to poor decisions.
Hlophe stressed that students must be vigilant against engaging in risky behaviors such as drug use, misbehavior at home, and even running away to partake in activities that are not suitable for their age.
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“Learners must be very careful as we are approaching the festive season not to find themselves doing things that might not be good for them,” Hlophe said.
He highlighted the importance of maintaining good behavior even outside the structured environment of school, especially during a time that is rife with social pressures.
Echoing these sentiments, Simangele Mndzebele, a teacher from one of the High Schools in Peaks Peak, expressed her concerns as both an educator and a parent.
Mndzebele emphasized that the school holidays often bring out troubling behaviours among students, who may be tempted to experiment with alcohol, drugs, and frequenting nightclubs.
“What we are seeing when it’s school holidays is very, very wrong behavior from learners. They misbehave, they drink alcohol, they use drugs, they go into clubs and pubs, which is not good because they are young people and still at school,” she said.
Mndzebele added that witnessing students deviate from positive paths is disheartening for educators who are invested in their academic and personal growth.
“We as teachers want to see learners prospering, completing their studies so that they can go to tertiary institutions and eventually work,” she added.
Mndzebele’s concern extends beyond academic performance. She expressed the pain teachers feel when witnessing students who show promise fall prey to destructive behaviours.
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For educators, the festive season is a crucial period where parental guidance becomes even more necessary to ensure that children do not stray into harmful activities that could derail their educational journey.
Psychologist Temalangeni Hlatshwako weighed in on the issue, emphasizing the need for collaboration between parents and teachers to guide students towards healthy behaviours.
According to Hlatshwako, the actions students engage in during their holidays can have long-term consequences on their academic performance and overall well-being.
“Bad behaviour, one way or the other, will impact schoolwork. As much as they may think that what they are doing during the holidays won’t affect their studies, these things often have a way of coming back and impacting their academic life,” she explained.
Hlatshwako urged parents to stay involved and engaged with their children during the holiday season, as the absence of school routines can lead to a lapse in discipline.
