17 Aug 2014

Information and communication technology (ICT) has the potential for knowledge dissemination, knowledge acquisition, effective e-learning and the development of more efficient education services.

Officially opening the Tswagare Primary School library, the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila implored individuals and the private sector to embrace the Adopt-a-School initiative in order to assist the government to transform the education system.

“In order to exercise effective learning, there is supposed to be sufficient water supply and electricity,” he said. Mr Mokaila, who is also the area Member of Parliament, said the constituency has 47 schools and highlighted that the schools’ electrification process was underway.

He noted that donated electronics for educational purposes would be fully utilised after the completion of the electrification process.

Minister Mokaila also noted that the construction of a water pipeline at Good Hope has been completed, and would supply Metlojane, Chwaanyaneng, Sedibeng up to Metlobo. He said the second phase would run from Pitsane, Ramatlabama, Borobadilepe until it reaches Sekhutlane

For her part, SAFDICO, a subsidiary company of the South African Diamond Corporation) chief executive officer (CEO), Ms Rutang Moses said to increase knowledge, her company has directed its services at improving educational delivery across schools by establishing a school library at Tswagare.

Ms Moses said their policy was to give back to communities where the company sources its diamonds, adding that their company was focused on youth education, health and well-being. She said SAFDICO’s adoption of Tswagare primary was their response to Mr Mokaila’s call to ensure that the school does not lag behind.

Furthermore, she said they were delighted to support the national pillars of an educated and informed nation as well as a compassionate, just and caring nation. “Our efforts are not isolated, but supplement and bring to life the government’s national vision 2016,” she said.

She said their role was to help unlock learning opportunities for children.

She said their relationship with the school started with a donation of school uniforms for 60 children both boys and girls.

“We believe this library will be the heart of the school and it will provide knowledge and empower each child to be well-informed and grow to be intelligent, literate and competent,” said Ms Moses.

SAFDICO Botswana is a cutting and polishing top-end diamonds company that has been operational since 2006 and has also developed Botswana’s art diamond Technology Park in Gaborone. Ends