15 Aug 2016

Government is committed to ensuring a conducive and learning environment to all students by putting up structures and ICT equipment necessary for learning, Minister of Transport and Communication  Mr Tshenolo Mabeo has said.

Speaking during a donation of 180 pairs of shoes and tracksuits to learners at Monnaathebe Primary School  in Lesilakgokong on August 13, he said government provide sufficient education to teachers, commits to equiping schools with computers for research and improve efficiency in schools. 

He said teachers were important anchor in the education system and commended the commitment and hard work by the school management and teaching staff and as well assured them of government support in their endeavors to educate children.

He said government is aware that for the country to realise meaningful development, it needed skilled personnel who could  compete with the world best hence its concerted efforts to strive to improve the working conditions of teachers and providing better accommodation as well. 

Mr Mabeo said for students to acquire skills to be competitive, all stakeholders especially parents should  come to the party to assist in moulding the future leaders, and challenged all not to only look up to government as a sole provider, but should actively be players in learning matters also.  

He said in order to build a strong foundation for the future of the children, parents’ participation is critical to success of education development and as such charity should start at home by teaching children cultural and good societal moral values.

Handing over the goodies worth about P84 000 to children, representative of FNBB Foundation senior branch manager, Ms Bonnie Lekgau said as a bank they recognise the importance of lending a helping hand to shape the future of learners if the country is to produce well rounded leaders.

She said as organisations doing business in the community they are obliged to support the dreams of children by investing in their education, hence the foundation’s commitment to partner with communities by providing materials to aid learners.

Ms Lekgau said their collaboration with the community will hopefully rejuvenate all including parents to start taking part in the education of their children, and in the process educating children will help curb social ills befalling many children in  society and also assist to reduce violence against the girl child.

She said the donation of 180 pair of shoes and track suits was out of the realization that not all parents are able to provide for their children, and as such the donation is to ensure that all the 180 students can not give any excuse why they cannot access and enjoy their right to education.

For her part Monnaathebe Primary School head teacher Ms Helen Kgosipelo said the school has not been doing well in the past years due to a number of factors such as long distance travelled by students to and from school, but last year the school improved from 38 per cent to 56 per cent pass rate.

She said the donation of a donkey cart to ferry students staying far from school has been helpful coupled with teachers who accommodate completing students so they write end of year examinations timely. 

She employed other stakeholders to assist with another donkey cart to transport pupils. ENDS