12 Oct 2016

Owner and founder of Media Professionals, Mr Ninie Dimpho has encouraged students to shun alcohol and drugs .

He reminded the students that their future is in their hands and called on them to act now.

Mr Dimpho said this at Tshwaragano Junior Secondary School’s 30^th anniversary and prize giving celebrations in Maun.

He reminded students that it was their duty to choose the kind of life they want to live in future therefore it was their responsibility to make sure they excelled in their studies.

As a former student of Tshwaragano JSS, he said he is disappointed to hear about the indiscipline among students and warned them to not let peer pressure control their lives.

Mr Dimpho went on to inform students to be their own life driver because what they chose to follow will determine their future.

He encouraged students to work hard as there would be no one in the outside world who will be willing to sponsor a failure.

Mr Dimpho also presented the ‘Mmei Kgwabi’s Award’ a cash prize of P5 000 which will start next year.                                    
Former school head and teacher at the school brought a floating trophy dubbed ‘Dongo’s Award’ for the best performer in all the forms in science and mathematics subjects.

In her welcome remarks, school head for Tshwaragano Junior Secondary School, Ms Lynette Setumo appreciated all the sponsors and the efforts put in place to make the event a success.

 Ms Setumo noted that it was a moment to celebrate the existence of the school and appreciate all who have done well.

She said the school was officially opened in 1985 with a student population of 720 and the teachers were not more than 50. She informed attendees that she was a teacher by that time and it was an 18 stream school.

“During that time there was shortage of facilities in that students have to be taught under trees.”

Ms Setumo went on to inform attendees that they had 30 classes at the beginning of the year but now they have 27 classes, the other three classes were transferred to the newly opened Maitlamo JSS in Disaneng ward.

Ms Setumo expressed her grief towards indiscipline among students such as absenteeism and rivalry of gangs in the school who team up with people outside the school and engage in fights.

Due to these problems she said they have engaged law enforcement personnel.

She told attendees that they are faced with many challenges in the school among them shortage of classrooms as the population has grown by the years.

She said for now the school has 1 060 students, 85 teachers and 17 non-teaching staff.

She said the challenges affected their academic performances and that from year 2011 to 2015 the quality pass (ABC) was below 40 per cent and the quantity pass (ABCD) were below 75 per cent.

Director for Orbit Company Ms Thato Dithupe said they saw it fit to encourage and give learners an idea about life in the outside world. Ms Dithupe tipped students that education is vital therefore they should take their school work seriously.

Ms Dithupe further encouraged students to be determined since it can help them achieve their goals in life.

She said a student who shows enthusiasm in his/her work ends up surpassing others in class.

Founder of Eyes on Africa Mr Bernard Wellio told attendees that Tshwaragano has groomed him into the man he is today. Mr Wellio told students that if they do not succeed tomorrow, they should put the blame on themselves and not the school. ENDS