22 Jun 2015

Skills acquired from practical subjects can help curb youth unemployment.  

Giving a keynote address during the practical subjects fair held in Mahalapye recently, the managing director of Maeto Hotels and Lodges, Ms Mokgadi Bonang called on the students to make good use of opportunities provided by the government to encourage youth entrepreneurship to reduce unemployment and boost the economy.

Ms Bonang said with skills acquired from practical subjects, one can utilise programmes like the Youth Grant Scheme, CEDA and poverty eradication as a way of curbing youth unemployment.

She said though they might not have the spending capacity to compete with big businesses, they need to analyse their environment, notice a missing good or service and aim to satisfy it.

Ms Bonang applauded the Ministry of Education and Skills Development for introducing the practical subject fair, an initiative which she believes would promote business in Botswana in the long run.

She said the fair gave students an opportunity to showcase their talent in practical subjects and foster skills transfer among the subjects involved.

Ms Bonang told the students that the solution of the HIV/AIDS problem lies with them, adding that the problem of HIV/AIDS would disappear only if individuals take responsibility to avoid HIV/AIDS infection.

For his part, the chairperson of the regional organising committee, Mr Bennie Phiri said practical subjects students are in the rightful place as they showcased what they do in class.

He however regretted that the fair was held at the same time with schools sporting activities, resulting in the two events competing for transport and other resources. Mr Phiri however promised that next year their committee would consult with Botswana Integrated Sports Association (BISA) when drawing their calendar of events. The fair was held under the theme Practical Subjects providing skills for youth entrepreneurship.  ENDS