02 Jul 2015

A student of Makgakgane Primary School, Special Education Unit, Areobake Moalafi will be among team Botswana athletes who will leave for Los Angeles, United States on July 20 to participate in the Special Olympics World Games slated for July 25.

Speaking at the Special Education Unit open day in Hukuntsi recently, director of McKag Transport, Kagiso Kgalemang said he was proud of Moalafi's achievement. He noted that the move would not only raise Botswana’s flag high but Kgalagadi District as a whole.

The director noted that indeed Moalafi’s success was a testimony that disability was not inability as those living with disability could reach greater heights if only they were given a chance to prove themselves.

“Success is derived from good preparation, hard work and learning from failure and Makgakgane Primary School has surely confirmed that it provides quality education,” he said.

Kgalemang stated that even though the school was excelling, it still faced several challenges such as shortage of sporting facilities which could assist students to excel much more in sports.

“The school also has no Internet service which is essential for research by students to improve their academic results,” he said.

The local organiser of the games, Fire Mogotsi said Moalafi will depart with the rest of the team on July 20 to the Special Olympics Games that will be officially opened by US First Lady Michelle Obama.

He said the boy was expected to participate in the 100m walk and 50m walk. The teams would include volleyball, half marathon, swimming and football.

For his part, rehabilitation officer  in the district, Manfred Kono appreciated recognition of the Special Education Unit children stating that the move showed that children with disabilities also have access to education.

Kono, however, pleaded with the parents to forward children with diasbility  to school and treat them equally with other children even though they demand a lot of attention as compared to other children.

He said challenges such as not having special education units in other surrounding villages were a disadvantage to some students and parents because some children were left out.

The officer suggested that if possible schools should consider offering boarding facilities to the children so that they could access education more easily and comfortably. Ends