03 Jul 2014

The chairperson of the Central Region Practical Subjects Committee, Mr Benny Phiri has called on the Ministry of Education and Skills Development to strike a balance between sports and practical subjects.

Speaking at the Central Region Practical Subjects Exhibition hosted by Selebi Phikwe Senior Secondary School recently, Mr Phiri said practical subjects did not get the same attention as sports when it came to things like funding and transport.

He said this lack of attention hindered the organisation and running of practical subjects exhibition fairs. Mr Phiri said practical subject fairs had a direct impact on the students and school’s academic results.

He thus called on the ministry to direct more attention to such initiatives. He also said the challenges they encountered as the organising team were a learning curve and hoped for a more improved fair next year.

Meanwhile, Mr Kefentse Kebaetse from the Selebi Phikwe Standard Chartered Bank noted that the introduction of practical subjects fair would greatly promote practical education and business in the country in the long run.

He said with skills acquired from practical subjects, students would be able to start and develop their own businesses, and create employment.

“This is undoubtedly an opportune time for students to showcase their talent in their respective subjects,” he said. He also noted he was impressed with the students’ work.

For his part, chief education officer, Mr Elijah Motlhabi said practical subjects played a crucial role in the development and improvement of practical skills among teachers and students throughout the country.

He said the fair had achieved the major objective of developing and promoting practical skills among students from all corners of the country. “It is my desire that all Batswana shall continue supporting our initiatives as we seek to promote an imperative area of practical skills expressions through the practical subjects’ fairs,” he said.

Mr Motlhabi added that practical subjects were designed in such a way that when students left school they would be in a position to work on their own and earn a living. These fairs, he said, encouraged a positive attitude towards practical work and productivity.

One of the Design and Technology judges, Mr Mike Muzila from Metsimasweu Junior School explained that their judging focused on five categories being stability of the product, functionality, material combination, economic use of materials and aesthetics.

The fair attracted about 93 Central Region secondary schools, which competed in eight subjects being Agriculture, Business Studies, Home Economics, Art and Design, Music, Design and Technology and Physical Education.In the junior secondary schools category, Pearl Selebego of Mogorosi Junior School got position one in the Physical Education Quiz, while her colleague Khumo Tonota also got first place in Art and Design.

Mowana Junior Secondary School represented by Tshegofatso Mmopa came first in Music while Segolame Keoitse of Mmashoro Junior Secondary School scooped position one in Design and Technology. In Agriculture, Kago Tsheko of Tlhalogang Junior School won first place while Gorata Gadibolelwe from John Nswazwi Junior Secondary School scooped the Home Economics award.

In the senior secondary schools categories, Bridget Basupeng of Mmadinare Senior Secondary School, Ontiretse Kgabo of Shashe River Senior School , Silas Maatla from Moeng College, Kago Dick of Swaneng Hill Senior and Tebogo Mojewa from Moeng College all scooped first place in Home Economics, Physical Education, Art and Design, Design and Technology and Agriculture respectively. ends