06 Jun 2016

Teachers, on Friday, celebrated their day in recognition of the key role they play in development of the country. 

Teachers’ Day was comemmorated under the theme: Teacher: Change Agent for Global Competitive Human Resource and Economic Diversification.

In Molepolole,  reports that teachers were advised to take stock of their deeds to ensure they matched expected professional standards.

A representative from Botswana Teachers Union, publicity secretary Mr Modise Maeletso said teachers must focus on overcoming their operational shortfalls in order to attain the manifestation of global competitiveness and economic diversification.

He told teachers that in order to be globally competitive, they must strive for excellence and take advantage of available opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge, adding that as agents of change, they must be receptive and embrace the concept of lifelong learning.

“We must to this end, appreciate the efforts by the Botswana government for introducing a policy that allows employees to run businesses,” said Mr Maeletso.

He said if taken advantage of, the policy opens doors for economic liberty and prosperity.

For her part, guest speaker, First National Bank-Molepolole branch manager, Ms Kessy Setume said she distinguished teaching as the oldest and very noble profession. She said education is the cornerstone of human resource development and management.

In Kavimba, teachers were implored to reinvent themselves as they continued to equip today’s youth to confront challenges as they carry Botswana’s relative success forward.

Ludo Chube reports that the chief executive officer of Chobe Holdings, Mr Jonathan Gibson advised teachers to think outside the box, citing the celebrated Chobe resident, Mr Mogomotsi Gaebepe who built an aircraft with no educational training as an example.

Gaebepe has no driving or flying licence, but went on to study aircraft at Cardiff University in the United Kingdome (UK) with only seven year basic primary education.

He bought a helicopter and is currently running his scenic flying business. “Mogomotsi became a man amongst men and he taught me that we are never too old to learn,” he said. Mr Gibson also encouraged teachers to be courageous and brave and added that blessings follow the brave.

“If you can conquer your fears and have courage, you can inspire your students and be an agent of change to prepare the students for all the challenges that lie ahead in our global village,” he said.

Reading out the ministerial speech, the ministry’s acting regional director for Chobe, Ms Tekolo Kgokologa noted that quality and relevance of Botswana’s education continued to be a challenge.

From Letlhakeng, Olekantse Sennamose, writes that teachers were made aware of the fact that the country’s prosperity hinges solely on teachers’ grassroots work as they are the first that interact with kids at a career path defining level.

Thebephatshwa Air Base commander, Col Collen Maruping noted the key role played by teachers during the Kweneng West teacher’s day celebrations in Serinane.

Col Maruping said today’s global world needs a globally competitive human resource, adding that for Botswana to survive, it was imperative to raise young and confident personalities who could interact globally.

He said that could only be achieved through assistance of teachers to pave the right path for students at an early age.

Col Maruping also said that teachers’ role on students was to some extent greater than that of parents as they interact with kids for a longer time, therefore have more influence in shaping up their future.

The base commander also noted that it was imperative for government to invest in teachers. “We should not shy aware from investing in the upgrading of teachers. I have heard people saying that a good teacher is costly, but I can tell you that a good teacher is not as costly as a bad one,” he said. ENDS