19 Oct 2015

The duty to unearth students’ talents lies with the community while private companies are to have an input in the promotion of high quality education.

Speaking during the Gobojango Junior Secondary School prize giving and excellence awards recently, the principal parks and recreation officer at Selebi Phikwe Town Council, Mr Onalenna Kenosi said for students to succeed academically, parents must invest in the education of their children.

The prize giving, he said, was intended to promote the spirit of hard work and competition between learners which in turn brings performance and high quality results.

Mr Kenosi said when learners were given the opportunity and freedom to undertake learning, they gradually develop life skills that would help them in future.

The officer commended the input of teachers, saying it would help the country attain the ideals of Vision 2016.Gobojango JSS is a boarding institution with 12 streams with its catchment areas being Semolale, Mabolwe, Robelela, Lepokole, Gobojango and Tshokwe.

Meantime, the school head Mr Julius Otukile said the school was faced with a variety of challenges such as shortage of classrooms, staff houses, shortage of laboratories, congested staff room and that some of the buildings such as the multipurpose hall was dilapidated. 

Mr Otukile said lack of proper facilities discouraged both learners and teachers with some teachers opting for transfers at institutions with better facilities.

He said the school has 12 classes but with only eight classrooms  and that the remaining classes were taught outside. He also expressed concern of indiscipline within the school among students who carry knives which they use to fight other students while others come to school without a decent uniform.

The school head challenged parents to play their roles and ensure that their children adhere to school rules and take education seriously.

He noted that some schools perform better because parents collaborate with teacher, and in some instances contribute funds for some activities such as maintenance of the school as well as prize giving and challenged villagers of catchment areas to contribute.

The school is said to have recorded 33 and 38 per cent quality pass rate in 2013 and 2014 respectively, lower than the 45 per cent target set by the Ministry of Education and Skills Development. Ends