07 Apr 2014

Admissions officer for Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BUIST), Mr Moagi Rahube has encouraged all the teenage school dropouts in Serinane in the Kweneng Administrative District to go back to school.

Mr Rahube said education was the key to success. He was speaking during a teens-talk club’s workshop organised by Kgari Sechele Senior Secondary School students. The teens-talk club was formed by teenage mothers who were learners.

Mr Rahube encouraged Kgari Sechele school students to study hard and assured them that as an admissions officer for BUIST, he would talk to the university management to give them first priority when admitting new students next year.

“Everyone who gets 38 points and above in Kgari Sechele will ensure that he is admitted at the second university of Botswana so that we set an example in Kweneng District. The mission of BUIST is to grow the science and engineering sector in Botswana,” he added.

He also commended Kgari Sechele students for forming such a motivating club and having the courage to share their testimonies with others. Mr Rahube went on to say that for teenage mothers to progress in life they should first admit that they were wrong to have a child at a young age or out of wedlock and above all be content and accept themselves as parents.

He further added that, God has given everyone a gift therefore; Serinane youth should stop fighting for the jobs at Ipelegeng program and go back to school to shape their future.

“I never preach condomise message like others do, all I ask you to do is abstain from sex. You now know the burden that can be brought by engaging in early sex. I urge everyone who is young enough to go back to school. Use the social worker here to help you about the proceedings,” Mr Rahube said.

Mr Rahube added that those who were above the age limit to be admitted back to school should consult the department of Youth Arts and Culture so that they apply for youth programs and help alleviate poverty.

“If you don’t take action now the very people that are going to be affected are your children. Doing so will desist you from living in poverty throughout,” he explained. The admissions officer for BUIST also cautioned the workshop attendants to turn their lives to God saying, life without God is meaningless.

“Nowadays life is very tough. We can overcome challenges only through God. Start looking for churches to attend and learn how to read a bible, if you don’t have one, talk to your pastors to help you get one,” he said.

For her part, the student counselor at BUIST, Ms Nametsegang Bontsibokae added that her daily job was to counsel students who come to her with different challenges. Ms Bontsibokae said counseling was not an easy job as the final decision lies with the client.

“My brothers and sisters we can repeat this over and over, go back to school, education is important but after all its you who takes an action. Unemployment is so high in Botswana, you’ll find a degree graduate seated at home without job, but as for you without a BGCSE certificate it’s a worst case,” she said.

She also added that, it was best if an individual show interest rather than being pushed. “You should be the first one to initiate the idea of going back to school to continue with your studies rather than your parents forcing you to do so. Bagaetsho le Setswana sa re mokodue go thuswayo o itekang,” Ms Bontsibokae concluded. Ends