29 Jun 2014

Various private companies have continued to heed the plea of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development of adopting schools and helping in improving the level of education in the country.

Gem Diamonds Botswana joined the list of such companies when they adopted Kaudwane Primary School in Letlhakeng Sub-district. 

The director of the company, Mr Glen Turner assured the school of his company’s commitment in establishing a working relationship.

Mr Turner said Gem Diamonds Botswana, which operated the GhaGhoo Mine, found it necessary to heed the ministry’s call and adopt the primary school because the village was in the periphery of the environment where the mine operates.

The general manager of GhaGhoo, Mr Kavis Kario said the mine would extend the school head’s office, refurbish the school kitchen, toilets as well as repair the school generator and connect electricity to the classrooms. 

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Tsholo Segwaba of Kaudwane appreciated the effort by GhaGhoo Mine through Gem Diamonds Limited, saying other companies should emulate them. 

For her part, Kweneng regional education director, Ms Motshabi Rammekwa also appauded Gem Diamonds for finding it necessary to play a role in the education of the country, saying it was their hope that as time goes on, the company would connect electricity to the teachers’ quarters, which would improve their working conditions and ultimately improve the overall performance of the school. 

Meanwhile, Kaudwane Primary School head, Ms Bogadi Leero said the primary school’s results have continued to decline over the years as a result of pupils absconding from school.

She said this has been a concern and that together with her staff they were trying their best to nurture the learners into competitive citizens.

She said the challenges that they encounter include lack of exposure in many fields because of the village’s geographical location.

Ms Leero, however, revealed that they have excelled in some areas such as athletics and practical subjects. 

Kaudwane Primary School, whose name means “mutual understanding” in the Sesarwa language was established in 1998 with an enrolment of 132 pupils and a staff complement of four teachers, including the head teacher.

The school has since grown to the current enrollment of 312 pupils, 13 teachers and various support staff. ENDS