28 Aug 2016

Ramaphatle Primary School in Ramaphatle near Thamaga has celebrated its achievement of attaining the 2016 national pillars, despite challenges.

Guest speaker at the event, Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Gladys Kokorwe  said children in Ramaphatle catchment area used to traverse long distances attending school in Thamaga under difficult and dangerous circumstances. 

She said she was however thankful as in 2009, government acceded to their plea for constructing a school in the village.

Ms Kokorwe, who MP for the area for -15 years until 2009, said she was happy that the children were now safe because they used to commute  long distances, some even barefoot. 

Through construction of the school, Ms Kokorwe said it was realisation of Vision 2016 pillar, a safe and secure nation that children did not have to commute long distances in order to attend school.

Meanwhile, Ms Kokorwe urged parents to take care of their children, monitoring their movements so that they remained focused on their studies because education in a lasting legacy. She further advised children to be obedient and respect their parents, promising prize money to 2016 primary school leaving examinations top three pupils.

For her part, school head, Ms Boipelo Matheo  said the school had attained the 2016 pillar of an informed and educated nation  saying when the school started operating, they had no text books, challenging teachers to just teach through their experience, without aids.

Ms Matheo said they sacrificed with the little they had to make sure the children receive education, saying that the first group of standard 7 pupils attained a 30 per cent pass rate (ABC), 32 per cent in 2012, picking to  80 per cent in 2013, dropping to again to 47 per cent in 2014, lasltly 65 per cent in 2015.

She also said they had a challenge of children trying to drop out from school, since before the school operated, they were irregular school attendants, but she said they   traced them and made sure they get back to school.  She said the school has a total number of 160 pupils.

Furthermore, Matheo claimed some children's parents are neglective but as the school community and the help from other stakeholders, they try to make sure children are provided for with the little they have, being food, clothing and toiletries.  

She said some children would come to school unfed and even collapse, hence providing for the children is actualizing the pillar of 'a compassionate, just and caring nation.'

Ramaphatle school patron Mr Wilfred Khathurima is said to have adopted the school in 2010 to help it with its different needs, including taking part in prize giving ceremonies among others. 

Khathurima said with his family they will continue to assist the school, further adding that with other stakeholders, they will liaise with the government on building a technical institution in Ramaphatle. ENDS