16 May 2016

Deputy director in the Department of Curriculum and Evaluation, Mr Dominique Khame has commended the Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited (BIHL) for helping improve Chakaloba Primary school standard seven examination results.

Speaking during the award ceremony held at the school on Friday, Mr Khame lauded BIHL Trust’s literacy programme for the positive turn around in results for Chakaloba primary school.

The ceremony was held to award the meritorious job done by the implementers as well as commend the BIHL and Stepping Stones International literacy partnership.

BIHL Trust and Stepping Stones International forged a partnership to improve English language proficiency across the country and Chakaloba primary school in Topisi was one of the first beneficiaries.

According to Stepping Stones International Director, Ms Lisa Juma, the program was mooted on realising that English language as a medium of instruction in learning institutions was significant if academic performance was to be improved nationally.

“While we will surely all agree that this is no quantum leap we are striving for, it is however by any measure a step in the right direction,” Juma said.

Chakaloba primary school saw an all-time low pass rate of 42 per cent in 2012 and the following year they were adopted by the two institutions and drafted into the programme.

Two years down the line their fortunes have ebbed toward the good as they recently managed a 70 per cent pass rate.

For her part, the outgoing school head, Ms Nkomene Bolaane echoed the same sentiments as she sees the literacy programmeas a window of opportunity for academic excellence nationally.

“This innovative partnership reaffirms the endless opportunities and possibilities when government and industry work together in pursuit of the betterment of the lives of the citizenry,” Ms Bolaane said.ENDS