16 Jul 2015

Junior Chamber International (JCI) Jwaneng chapter recently held a career fair for the form three students from the two Junior Secondary schools in Jwaneng under the theme , “Now is the time, Shape the future’’. 

Speaking at the event, JCI Jwaneng President Mr Badisa Tlhako noted that the initiative started last year as a pilot project in partnership with Kgosi Mpe JSS and it was a success.

He said this year they extended it to Morama JSS and brought together tertiary institutions like Botswana accountancy college (BAC), ABM University College and University of Botswana (UB)

Mr Tlhako said they decided to partner with the two junior schools to do career fair after they were informed by teachers and students about their challenges. 

He said students tend to have difficulties in choosing their career path due to lack of career guidance.

“We want to help students to make informed decisions and choose careers that they want and we want them to contribute to the development of our community in the future” he said.

He also explained that as an organisation, they want to contribute towards the development of their community hence the career fair and other projects that they have already embarked on such as the Dare Eye Care, in which they provided 50 students with spectacles in Mabutsane recently. 

In her remarks, Morama JSS School Head, Mpho Lesego said as the school community they were grateful for this initiative that will benefit their students.

“It is partnership like this one that will help learners to make informed decisions about their future” she added. 

She lauded the career fair as an opportunity for the students to meet potential employers and different institutions of learning. She said the career fair provided students with the chance to explore their career path and opportunities. 

Ms Lesego further noted that students often tend not to believe in themselves and encouraged them to be assertive as a recipe for success.

The principal education officer for southern region Mr Neo Sealetsa also concurred that what JCI had embarked on through the initiative was in line with the ministry‘s initiative.

“It is part of the continuum in the education and training strategic plan in providing access, equity ,quality and relevance of the education system” he said. 

He said the career fair enabled the students to develop and equip themselves with the skills, knowledge and personal qualities needed for life and work. 

Mr Sealetsa pleaded with the students to take note of information that was passed to them as this will help them have an excellent start which will lead to a brighter future.

Though the event was a success, one of the event organisers Senior Guidance teacher at Morama Jss, Ms Keitumetse Matebele expressed disappointment at some stakeholders who turned down their invitation at the last minute. She called on the community and relevant stakeholders to be part of the children’s future. ENDS