16 Sep 2014

Engen Botswana has donated a library worth P100 000 to Mogorosi Primary School through the Adopt-A-School initiative. Engen also refurbished the school.

Speaking on behalf of Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi who oversees the education and training sector strategic plan, during the event on September 12, councillor for Moiyabana, Mr Obonetse Gaerobale said since the implementation of the Adopt-A-School initiative, great strides had been made by the private sector, non-governmental organisations and individuals who contributed to the education of the country’s future children.

Mr Gaerobale stressed that the Adopt-A-School initiative encouraged individuals, business entities and civil society to take proactive and collective role in the development of human future resource; the students.

Therefore, he said he was confident that the donation would translate the school performance into an increased pass rate.

He however implored the students of Mogorosi primary school to make proper use of the library in order to improve their lives academically, emotionally and psychosocially.

Furthermore, Mr Gaerobale told parents that their parental role and guidance should not be left to the library.

He said they should continue taking the authority in the learning and welfare of their children.

Engen Botswana managing director, Mr Chimweta Monga said education lies at the centre of a country’s sustainable solutions for continued economic growth.

Mr Monga explained that education system does not only share knowledge and skills, but it also ensures that children continue to make valuable contribution to the society that they live in.

He said with the Sebilo Book Services, they realised that the need for educational materials to Mogorosi primary school would add value to the teaching and learning process for the betterment of their academic performance.

In addition, Mr Monga emphasised that the fields of Mathematics, Science and Technology were areas that help drive economic growth and transforming Botswana from a developing country to a developed one adding that they were the key areas that this country nurtures.

“In developing the requisites knowledge and skills we are cognisant of that fact there is a need for a source of information and it is because of this that we have equipped this school with a fully materialised library,” he said.

He implored the private sector and individuals to complement the efforts of government for conceiving the initiative saying it would add to the attainment of the national Vision 2016 of an educated and informed nation.

Serowe Administrative Authority senior assistant council secretary, Mr Odirile Mabaila said out of the 31 schools under his jurisdiction, Mogorosi primary school was the third school to fully benefit from the initiative.

Mr Mabaila commended Engen Botswana for reaching out to remote areas saying it was a way of giving back to the communities.

He also applauded the company for refurbishing the administrative block of the school and classrooms, noting that would assist in creating conducive environment that encourages learning through a positive reading culture.

Meanwhile, he cautioned staff and parents to ensure that the equipment provided was fully utilised and not vandalised by the students.

In his welcome remarks, school head, Mr Ontiretse Kenaope expressed concern over some constrains of lack of stationery which he said were worrisome in his school contributing to low performance of the students.

He was hopeful that the library in his school would help increase the performance during this year’s examinations. Ends