By Neo Kolane
The Quthing schools’ principals are unreservedly crying out for a halt on a ban on sporting activities for both primary and high schools.
The ban was effected at the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of restrictions as part of lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly virus. The ban was introduced in—–in a circular formulated by the ministry of education and training.
But with the decline in the incidence of the infections and the country now moved to a higher level, that district schools’ principals want the learners to resume sporting activities as part of schools’ recreation and unearthing of talent among the learners.
A disturbed principal, Matlotlo Mafantiri of Moorosi High School, expressing dissatisfaction, sought the ministry to lift the ban and allow pupils and students to resume with sporting activities and participate in schools’ tournaments.
He said the ban will restrict learners from displaying their sports talents “as Quthing is rich in sports talents and produces god athletes in its history.”
He told theReporter, that the district has historically produced a number of outstanding athletes who have flown the country’s flag at higher levels in different sporting codes.
He was mindful of the late Motlatsi Shale who he said ended up playing for the then high riding South Africa’s Premier League football club Bloemfontein Celtic. He was the product of both Masitise High School.
Again, Mafantiri spoke highly of ‘Neheng Khatala, a female long distance runner who was groomed in that district. He said Khatala represented the Mountain Kingdom in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo where she competed in the women’s marathon.
Khatala is the product of both ‘Maseribane and Moorosi high schools, also situated in that district.
“There are a lot of children who we want to expose their talent to the outside world. They can show their abilities and potential in sports.
“We just want sports tournaments to be held so as we can do what we do best in sports. Quthing district is known for producing great talents. Through sports learners can show their talents and be able to support themselves in the future as there is high rate of unemployment,” he said.
Mafantiri believes it is time that the ban be lifted as it was introduced at the height of the pandemic. That has left millions of people dead globally. He urged keenly that sport is part of the schools’ curriculum.
“People who are professionally involved in sports do not need any jobs,” he remarked, noting that learners’ minds are refreshed through participation in sporting codes.
He advised that talent must be uncovered and build at the young age.
“The learners grow healthy when they are allowed to play even at schools,” Mafantiri, adding that sports deters them from engaging in drug use and substance abuse such as smoking and drinking.
“Sport is the backbone of a healthy lifestyle,” Mafantiri enthused while suggesting that the order to cease with sports was issued by the Quthing district education manager————-. He said the reason advanced by that office was that schools in the district were performing poorly in final examinations.
Repeated attempts to source comment from the Quthing district education manager Moipusi Motebang to verify the claims failed as her mobile went unanswered yesterday.
But the ministry of education and training is taking none of it at least for now.
The principal secretary of basic education, Dr Dira Khama, suggested that Quthing schools were performing dismally when it comes to passing examination tests.
Khama said some learners are so glued onsporting activities and give less attention to their learning abilities.
Khama said some learners are so glued on sports than class studies although the sporting activities are just an additional exercise to the curriculum. He argued that the main purpose of schooling is learning.
He said schools were behind when it comes to completing the syllabus as classes were disrupted by restrictions due to the pandemic Covid-19.
Khama urged for principals to ensure that learning and tutoring be regarded necessary importance so as to keep abreast with the curriculum.
“Some principals truly do not work hard and should start first to pull their socks in enduring that learning and teaching are given enough prominence,” Khama warned.
Khama added that the district administrator was also worried that the schools are not performing well.
He also regretted that Quthing district was far from performing well in schools’ examination results as it has shown a steep decline in passing rate. For him, learning should take precedence over sports.
The president of Lesotho Institutions Sports Association (LISA), Teboho Pholo, said the association has heard of such claims and would take measures to talk to the education manager Motebang.
He commented that learners should play sports at schools as the country’s type of syllabus enables them to uncover their talents, adding that also helps them to concentrate in class.
Arguing that sport sometimes becomes a source of funding for learners, he said Manqabang Tsibela, a student in Quthing, is already competing in international marathons.
