26 Oct 2015

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane has commended Ngamiland primary school teachers for their continuous efforts in enhancing and improving the quality of education system despite challenges they encounter.

He said teachers continue to excel despite difficult situation such as shortage of accommodation .

Officiating at Botswelelo primary school 40^th anniversary celebration, Mr Tsogwane said schools in the district are better performing as the management and staff has committed themselves to put maximum effort to be amongst the top best schools in the country.

“Teachers have developed a spirit of volunteerism and the love for this nation as they are doing their best despite the difficulties they face. You are competing with other schools country wide and yet you are the best,” he added.

He revealed that through the vision 2016 pillar of an educated and informed nation, it is vital for all to take education as a basic necessity to all generations of the society.

He said Botswelelo primary school is one of the best performing schools in the region. For the five past years, he revealed that the school has been doing well in ABC pass, saying in 2010 the school registered 84 per cent, 2011 64 per cent, 2012 75 per cent, 2013 84 per cent while last year they got 97 per cent pass rate.

Mr Tsogwane said although his ministry is responsible for primary school infrastructure they are not able to meet all the needs due to financial constraints that has also affected other ministries.

He said currently they have increased the pace of maintaining schools and made them habitable for pupils.

Mr Tsogwane believed that maintenance of schools would enhance teaching and learning performance, adding that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development is aiming at having a system of quality education to compete with the global world.

For her part, the school head, Ms Reginah Dinonyane said it is their intention to maintain their standard to be amongst the best schools in the country.

She said since the school opened its doors in 1975, it has been performing well in various codes being sports, subject fairs as well as PSLE hence their motto of ‘Aspiring for Excellence.’

She mentioned some of the challenges they face such as shortage of stationery, delayed school maintenance and photocopiers, equipment for practical subjects. Ms Dinonyane said the subjects are very crucial in pupils’ lives and as such leaners need to have basic information and knowledge about them.  Ends