13 Jul 2014

The decline in performance in the past general education examinations has brought many positive lessons, President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama has said.

Officiating at the Botswana Examination Council’s fifth excellence awards ceremony in Gaborone on July 11, President Khama said the results made government to pause and introspect.

He said it had become clear that all stakeholders in the education business needed to work together in a more collaborative manner than ever before.“No one can celebrate when our young people fail to reach desired achievement levels,” he said.

He said a lot of questions such as the grading system and the extent to which teachers were familiar with it, the physical environment of classrooms and laboratories as well as issues of the curriculum and related elements came to the surface.

He said it was to this end that he directed members of cabinet as well as senior officials to visit some schools with a view to conducting an assessment of the teaching and learning environment, adding that the findings of such visits confirmed the observations.

He said he established working committees at different levels to work with the ministry to resolve the issues at hand and find durable solutions so as to improve performance.

Regarding teacher’s conditions of service, President Khama said government had implemented levels of operation whereby teachers were paid in accordance with their qualifications and experience.

President Khama called on Botswana Examination Council (BEC) and the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) to ensure that curriculum was delivered properly, within a conducive teaching and learning environment and that it related directly to assessment.

Furthermore, President Khama emphasised the need for parents and the wider communities to work with government towards improving performance of the education system.

This, he said, could assist the country to realise its national goals of equitable, accessible and quality education. For his part, acting Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi appreciated President Khama’s support and commitment to the youth.

Mr Masisi also acknowledged the support by corporate entities, saying it demonstrated the commitment of the private sector to contribute to educational development in Botswana.

As Botswana developed, it experienced a shift in economic focus and that of the requisite skills and training for the country’s economy in relation to the global village, he said.

He said, Botswana had progressed into a technological age where information was readily available. Easy access to information, he said necessitated that learners had access to technology adding that such exposure had led to the introduction of such awards.

Mr Masisi emphasised the need for effective instructional leadership to ensure that appropriate teaching and learning processes took place.

He said it had emerged that amongst other challenges leading to the current low performance of schools was the unsatisfactory management and leadership found in some schools.

“We strongly believe that addressing this integral component within the education system will improve teacher morale and motivation which will in turn result in excelling, driven learners who aim for excellence,” he said.

Mr Masisi implored the awardees to be the key towards unlocking the pulse of the learners in the country. “Please let us know what makes you ‘tick’ so that we can better cater for other’s needs and ensure that they do excel in their varying interests and multiple intelligences,” he said.

The Botswana Examination Council awards, which were given in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development were for outstanding students in the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE), Junior Certificate (JC) and the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE).

The fifth excellence awards saw close to 170 students being presented with certificates, trophies and bags of electronic goodies.

Of all the awards recipients, three students outshone the rest and were presented with special awards. Mr Kago Goveya from Lobatse Senior Secondary School came out top as he received the Golden Star award. He was presented the award by President Khama, a certificate and a P20 000 cheque.

Mr Karabo Sankoloba of Mater Spei College got the ministerial award which was presented by Mr Masisi together with a P10 000 cheque while Ms Onalethata Diane from Good Hope Senior Secondary School got the BEC chairperson’s award, which attracted a P5 000 reward. ENDS