Wisdom for the student journey
RENOWNED author and tutor Dr Manners Msongelwa, who is also a history teacher at Camelot High School in Kwekwe, has launched another book titled “Chronicles of High School: Wisdom for the Student Journey”.
The book, written in proverbial craft, takes the reader into the transformative adolescence journey, offering invaluable lessons and timeless advice on navigating the complications of high school life.
Dr Mso, as he is affectionately known by the legion of his fans, friends, and contemporaries, is the president of the Association of History Teachers and Lecturers in Africa.
“We do not communicate enough with our children. We do not spend much time with our children. We are not training them the way we should do.
“If only we had time with our children, they would not be struggling and acting out as they go through adolescence.”
Dr Mso stressed the need to help teenagers as they start developing into adults, emphasising the importance of guidance using “Chronicles of High School” as a guide.
“In this book, I addressed several issues affecting the youths, including relationships, social media, anger, competition among peers, weird parties and lack of career guidance thereof.”
Taking note of the negative impact social media has on teens, he said explicit content was a cause for concern and urged girls to know their worth.
“Leaking explicit pictures on social media has become a common thing. We cannot go for a week without such an incident. I am urging teens to value and protect themselves.”
As the learners advance academically, most of them lack career guidance and are limited in terms of choice. They are hardly exposed to broader selection, and are familiar with either one or two majors.
“You will be shocked most children do not know which subjects to major in, a child in Form Three picks sciences and commercials yet they struggle with them while shunning arts.
“Our children have not been exposed to other choices. They are familiar with one or two degrees. In this book I helped in identifying majors children can take outside the ones they are used to.”
Dr Mso said there was a need for parents and teachers to talk to children about physical changes to their bodies.
“Yes, they maybe, but, they need to be guided to value themselves and realise their worth.
“Further unpacking the author highlighted the need for children to lighten their demands and expectations on their parents succumbing to peer pressure.
“Most children are putting a lot of pressure on their parents demanding to attend universities abroad, yet parents cannot afford it. We have good universities in Zimbabwe. There is a lot of competition amongst them.
“They all need to have iPhones and the lengths they go to to achieve such is undesirable,” he said.
Friends and colleagues gave their testimonials on Dr Mso, while some gave their experiences on reading the book.
Guest of honour Professor Munya Munochiveyi, a long-time friend based in America as an African historian, acknowledged the importance of the book.
“I am happy to support him. He is a prolific and brilliant teacher and it is quite a privilege to be here today. He is uniquely gifted and one of the best history teachers in Zimbabwe.
“I hope children will take lessons from this book, especially concerning discipline.
“Teenagers have this irresistible urge to rebel. I hope the book helps them navigate through life. Believe me, one day you won’t be a teenager anymore and you would reflect on all the mistakes you made then. Let this be your guide,” said Prof Munochiveyi.
Mental health specialist Diana Bhamala hailed Dr Mso and urged parents and children to engage each other.
“We have social media controlling us. We need to befriend our children. Certain toxic traits they exhibit were handed to them by us.
“We tend to neglect our children. Let us be the heroes for our children. They need to admire us,” she said.