05 Oct 2015

Broadway Toyota sales manager Ms Ookeditse Nthebolang has urged parents to assist teachers in moulding their children to become well-groomed individuals who will be able to benefit themselves, their families and the nation at large.

Speaking during Parwe Junior School prize giving ceremony recently under the theme Rewarding excellence in academic and co-curricular activities: A cornerstone for ensuring Botswana’s future, Ms Nthebolang said she believes that if there was a collaboration between parents, teachers, government and students there could be massive improvement of academic and co-curricular activities results.

Therefore, she said it is the responsibility of parents to work hand in hand with teachers to ensure that they do not fail their children.

She urged parents to be more concerned about the discipline of their children for the reason that some students fight in school using dangerous objects, insult elders and also steal in school. She further emphasised that parents should take part in PTA events, monitor their children’s work as well as checking their progress at school to see how they are coping in class.

Ms Nthebolang also encouraged parents to buy school uniforms for their children to make sure they come to school presentable and to pay school fees and PTA levy.
She commended teachers for their efforts of moulding, shaping, and guiding the students.

She said teachers are the pillars that drive the goals and dreams of students, so they need to work together cooperatively to attain vision 2016 pillar of an informed and educated nation.
Ms Nthebolang further highlighted that students should take co-curricular activities such as sports more seriously as it boosts mental span and helps with concentration span.

Thus, she said it a career on its own that goes together with academic work. And so, she said at school level sport can expose a student to the right sporting activity they desire.
For her part, motivational speaker and Botswana television Sedibeng programme presenter, Ms Charity Keobokile shared her journey of education success with the students.

She said students should be focused more on their education and they have to always be obedient to their parents and teachers.   She further encouraged students to never be discouraged by the high rate of unemployment in Botswana, but they should aim at being educated and creating jobs for themselves and others. 

Ms Keobokile also motivated the students to make sure that they have co-curricular activities because they can take them to higher places they never imagined.

“I accomplished a lot because I embraced my talent in traditional dancing; it has helped me in my career. I even travelled overseas and came back with three medals. So take it from me that your talents and gifts have power to elevate you in life,” she said.

She said students should believe in themselves and believe that they can be everything they want to be only if they work hard and be determined. She therefore encouraged students to have faith in God and to always be prayerful in order for them to overcome every challenge they come across in their lives. Ends