17 Jul 2015

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama has challenged 2014 excellence awards recipients to lead their peers not only in academic performance but in character building, positive attitude and behaviour.

He said some schools were engulfed by indiscipline, vandalism and drug abuse.

President Khama was speaking at the sixth edition of the Botswana Examination Council (BEC) excellence awards ceremony.  

“I take it that awards recipients here today are a testimony that they have overcome the challenges that others succumb to while in school and it is my sincere hope that they continue to be exemplary in the next phase of their schooling.”

He said government had made a commitment to confront indiscipline in schools, which contributed to poor academic performance.  

If not addressed, he said, the situation would breed a generation of irresponsible citizenry.

President Khama called upon parents, teachers, civil society, clubs and associations to commit to building a better future for their children.

He said committing to their children’s future was not just about buying them school uniform, dropping them at school and providing meals and shelter.

Such commitment involved instilling discipline, monitoring character and school work, providing guidance as well as giving direction.

“To root out the evil in society, we must start at the foundation. The foundation of your life is your early years as a young person. Go wrong then and you may go wrong forever.
 Discipline must be embodied early, at home, at school and the workplace,” said President Khama.

He urged the parents to make use of existing structures in their communities to address social ills at schools, adding that such could be achieved via effective parents teachers associations, extended families and dikgosi.

He said recipients’ success would be a lasting landmark in their lives since it was occasioned by hard work and dedication in one’s academic life. President Khama said choosing a career was crucial and such a crucial choice did not come overnight .

He said it was a continuous process coupled with hard work, focus, dedication and resilience.

The overall winner, Dimpho Gosenyang, of Naledi Senior Secondary School received P5 000 from the President on top of the P20 000 prize.

Nicole Maikano of Mater Spei walked away with P10 000 while Thato Shato Willie of St Joseph walked away with P5 000. Ends