06 Oct 2014

The managing director of Associated Fund Administrators (AFA), Mr Duncan Thela says education is not only about academic achievement but should include producing products that are wholesome, hence co-curricular activities are also important in the students’ life.

Speaking at a price-giving ceremony of Lerala junior school on October 3, Mr Thela said in the modern times co-curricular activities could be quite rewarding if pursued with the discipline and commitment required.

Thus, he said sports and related extra-curricular activities should be encouraged in schools. Mr Thela said there was ample local evidence that sports if properly pursued could become a source of living.

He said education was one of the most important gifts one could have. He said although education was resource intensive, almost every child in Botswana is afforded relatively free access to it.

He said education is recognised worldwide as a right and avenue that opens and provides life changing opportunities. Mr Thela said although education is a right, there was no right without responsibility and one had to utilise the opportunity provided to the fullest.

He said the students must have a positive attitude towards learning and life in general in order to unleash their full potential and create a good future for themselves.

He acknowledged the role of teachers in educating the children and said teachers were pivotal in the provision of quality education, equipping the student with knowledge and lifelong skills including problem solving skills necessary for productive and competitive citizenry.

“Our products must be able to compete nationally and globally in the workplace,” he said. Mr Thela said parents must play a critical role in the general upbringing of the child and must support both students and teachers in their endeavors to ensure achievement of education system and desirable and appropriate development of the child.

He said for the school to provide efficient, quality and relevant education that is accessible to all through effective utilisation of resources and stakeholder involvement, parents must be part of their child’s development.

He said parents must participate in the monitoring of the student’s performance and address any impediments to continuous improvement of the student’s performance collectively with the teachers.

Mr Thela said children need support as they enter into the age of self-discovery adding that adolescence is often a very challenging developmental stage wherein issues such as peer pressure ensue.

He said in the village settings teenage pregnancy continue to be problematic resulting in significant school drop-outs and disrupted child development.

Mr Thela congratulated Lerala junior school for successfully partnering with the Hutchinson’s Grammar School in Scotland and Maralal Secondary School in Kenya because it was through such arrangements that continuous improvements could be meaningfully achieved.

He emphasised the importance at local level of ensuring a good tripartite relationship. He said the tripartite relationship must be nurtured to ensure adequate support and active participation by all.

The headmaster of Lerala junior school, Mr Frank Mahulela said although his school’s performance has not been satisfactory, there was an improvement in both quality and quantity in last year’s junior certificate results.

He said the results calls for a concerted effort from all those involved in the education of their children. He said they had a challenge in the school because there were not enough computers for both students and staff and yet these gadgets were requisite in enhancing teaching and learning.

He said teachers share houses and sharing in itself creates bad environment for teachers to peacefully discharge their duties. Ends