13 Apr 2016

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development has achieved a lot by ensuring that  education becomes a success.

This was said by the chief education officer for Jwaneng-Mabutsane sub-region, Mr Abram Molelowamodimo at a ceremony to commemorate and celebrate the Vision 2016 pillar of an educated and informed nation in Jwaneng recently.

Mr Molelowamodimo said education was the cornerstone of any development in any country and that they were still struggling to achieve literacy for all. Mr Molelowamodimo said as Vision 2016 comes to an end, they had to look back at what they have achieved as a ministry.

He noted that one of the many things they have was the pre-primary education programme that focuses on early childhood and care. He said they were working on training teachers for the programme while others have been sent to colleges of education.

He said the other programme they have achieved was the Out of School Educational Training (OSET). He said the programme has others such as the Adult Education Programme, Out of School Skills and Training that provides training in pottery, baking, leather and weaving amongst others.

Mr Molelowamodimo said the programmes were there to provide literacy to learners even in rural areas.

He added that the ministry has partnered with Botswana Qualifications Authority (BQA) and the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) for recognition and accreditation.

The other programme Mr Molelowamodimo recognised is vocational training, adding that they have achieved a lot through it. He said it trains learners on blue colour jobs and encourages creativity.

Mr Molelowamodimo further added that since the beginning of the vision, enrollment in primary and secondary schools has increased and that even programmes offered have improved.

He said they have partnered with companies such as Debswana  and Majwe Mining to adopt schools, which he said have done exceptionally well in seeing that education was fulfilled.

Project director at Majwe Mining Joint Venture, Mr Rod Fraser said since their partnership with the ministry, they have come up with project which include the safe scholar crossing patrol that teach children about pedestrian crossing and  Majwe Academic Excellence Awards.

He said they also managed to offer sponsorships to Mpule Kwelagobe Childrens Centre, La-Modimo Childrens Centre, Ramotswa Centre for the Deaf, Dinonyane and Metsimantsho Primary School among others. ENDS