11 Jan 2015

Students of Mabesekwa in Tonota have been advised to get their priorities right before making decisions that can have a lasting impact in their lives.

The advice was given by their Member of Parliament, who is also the Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr Thapelo Olopeng at a kgotla meeting on Friday, January 9.

Mr Olopeng was responding to residents’ complaints that their children prefer to get married rather than to finish their education.

He noted that it was important for every person to make their own decisions, which they would never regret in their lives.

Mr Olopeng further pointed out that in Botswana, there was no one who was denied the chance to get married, but that students were urged to complete their education before getting married.

He noted that the government was offering free and affordable education as way of encouraging children to go to school.

Mr Olopeng said students should show their appreciation and take advantage of government’s efforts.

He further highlighted that there were many divorce cases taking place and that it was imperative that those who decide to get married should had fully understood the implications of their decision.

“Let us not have marriages of convenience, let us get our priorities right before any decision can be made,” he emphasised.

Parents also complained that their children who were determined to finish their school were discouraged by those who were supposed to assist them to go further with their studies.

A parent, Mr Norbert Ngele said although they know they were classified under the affirmative action programme, their children who had completed their junior and senior secondary school were confined at homes.

He said most of the time they were either not given certificates from their previous schools or they were not receiving any feedback concerning their applications for further education.

In his response, Mr Olopeng explained that there was an arrangement which government has done for children from villages classified under the affirmative action programme.

In his updates, Mr Olopeng said the government had taken the decision to priorities developments according to places, which were far away from service centers so that they could get to enjoy the same benefits as other places.

He also informed residents that as soon as funds were available, the 70 kilometers road connecting them to Tonota would be tarred and that other requests such as the refurbishment of their clinic would be done. ENDS