20 Oct 2014

Minister Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi says the introduction of pre-lessons for standard one pupils at primary schools is going smoothly.

Speaking at a prize giving ceremony at Makolo Primary School in Serowe, Dr Venson-Moitoi said the orientation programme taught things that were most useful and valuable in their education. She said the programme acted as a stop gap for those who would have not accessed pre-school education.

She also explained that the programme prepared children for school, adding that usually when they started standard one, they were comfortable with schooling and tended to take it more seriously.

Dr Venson-Moitoi applauded parents who enrolled their children at schools as they were creating a better future for them as well as nurturing responsible citizens. She said parents should be involved in their children’ education and that they should instill in them reasons for going to school.

Furthermore, she said gone were the days when people went to school only to be able to work in white collar jobs, noting that children should also be taught that they could still succeed in life by going for blue collar jobs.

She said the education sector would soon add vocational training as part of the curriculum, so that education should not be one sided. She said by adding vocational training, students would learn to use their crafts and develop them so that they would later start businesses and employ others.

Dr Venson-Moitoi said parents should also instill Botho and good manners in their children so that they learn not only to be responsible citizens but also to take care of others.

On other issues, she applauded the BOTUSAFE for adopting Makolo Primary School, adding that it was through the partnership of the business people and the government that the education sector could be improved.

She said by adopting schools the business community also bred student to become part of their businesses as they would grow up wanting to start their own businesses.

Dr Venson-Moitoi said ever since the initiative of Adopt-a- school started businesses had so far contributed about P300 000 million to the education sector something which is very commendable.

Therefore, she appealed to other businesses to step forth and join in the education of their children especially banking institutions.

She said if banking institutions could come forth they would also instill financial management awareness in the children so that they learn the best use of money at a younger age. For his part, Bayport branch manager Mr Moseki Oganne advised students to stay away from drugs and alcohol and focus on their education.

Mr Oganne encouraged them to choose their friends wisely so as to avoid being involved in doing bad things.

He said they should know that they were the future leaders; therefore they should learn to be responsible and be exemplary to others at an early age. ENDS