18 Aug 2016

Assistant Minister of Education and Skills development, Mr Moiseraela Goya, says despite economic circumstances, government continues to make funding of education a priority.
Speaking during  the farewell of Batswana students who acquired scholarship to study in China, Mr Goya said as the cost of education continued to escalate, government could not manage alone.
He, therefore, applauded the commitment of Chinese government for supporting the country’s development by offering scholarship to Batswana students.
“Tonight, we have come to bid farewell to 34 Batswana who have been nominated to study in China, thanks to the generosity and kindness of the Chinese government,” he said.
Mr Goya told students to represent their families as well as the country well, noting that the nation’s aspirations and hope rest squarely on their shoulders.
Ambassador of China, Mr Zheng Zhuqiang said the bilateral relations of China and Botswana had always maintained healthy and stable development.
He said education was the foundation of a nation, hence one of the important areas of cooperation between the two countries.
“Since 1980s, China has provided a total of almost 800 government scholarships to Botswana students. Given the growing interest among Botswana students to study in China, China greatly increase the number of scholarships offered to Botswana in recent years,” he said.
Mr Zheng said 34 students had been already given scholarship under the ministry of education of china whereas 30 students were expected to benefit under ministry of commerce of China.
He also advised the students to be brave while in China and to overcome the challenges of unfamiliar situation as well as language difficulties.
Mr Zheng further encouraged the students to serve nation well after successful completion of their studies as Botswana was a promising country of development.
Speaking on behalf of parents, the deputy permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Mr Mogomotsi Kaboyamodimo told the students to refrain from bad behavior such as indulging in alcohol but to focus on studying.
He told the students to explore, learn and to succeed in their studies with the knowledge that they represented Botswana, therefore it would be vital for them to display positive attitudes and good manners.
He commended the government of Botswana for laying the foundation and making it easy for students to learn in various courses, he as well extended gratitude to the government of China for supporting the education sector of this country.
Meanwhile, representative of students who are going to study in China, Ms One Jenamo, said they would carry along the spirit of ‘Botho’ to put the country in a good picture and represent it well. She said all the focus will be on their studies as to come back successfully and with good results. ENDS