09 May 2017

Hukuntsi Sub-district Council chairperson, Ms Goratamang Tlhage has hailed  boot camp for  rehabilitating Matsha College to its  glory days.
Speaking during the boot camp graduation ceremony in Kang Friday, Ms Tlhage said the boot camp came at an opportune time when the school had turned into a heap of despair and despondency due to some challenges such as drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy and bad behaviour, which had contributed substantially to poor academic record.
She said the boot camp was initiated by government and private sector due to declining social values, unemployment, life threatening diseases, among others.
She stressed that the main goal was to empower the students with life-skills, competencies and positive attitudes.

She noted that the boot camp held the theme, A Different Me! A Different Matsha College 2017 and Beyond, resonated well with the initiative as it had promoted social, intellectual, moral and spiritual development amongst the students to help them to make life-enhancing choices in their lives as early as possible.
“It is only through the promotion of these attributes that have contributed towards moulding their character and holding them into disciplined, honest, diligent, courageous, compassionate and respectful citizens let alone leaders of tomorrow,’’ she said.
School head, Mr Tshokologo Dineo, noted that there was a positive behavioural change from the students, which was a clear indication that the boot camp had played a crucial part in the school’s rehabilitation process.

He indicated that the boot camp had achieved its intended purpose of instilling a culture of discipline, urgency, respect, excellence, spirit of patriotism and cleanliness, among students.
Mr Dineo said scouts and members of the Police spearheaded physical training invariably with students to help them develop a healthy and sound mind.
“A healthy and sound mind will help our children to be reasonable in what they do, focus on what they have come to school for and ultimately leads to good academic results,” he said.
He added that the morning devotion that was conducted by SU Botswana had contributed significantly to the moral and spiritual upliftment of the students, an aspect that was very important for positive behavioural change and character building.

“Proverbs 16:3 says, submit your plans to God and you shall succeed, surely this boot camp shall achieve its objectives. Cases of indiscipline shall drastically reduce, satanist activities, which have been dominating in this school shall perish and vandals will come to their senses and stop vandalising our school,” he said.
School headgirl and also one of the students who took part, Ms Laone Leitshamo said she learnt a lot from the boot-camp, noting that she was going to put what she learnt into practice in her daily activities.
 “I have learnt time management, self-awareness, self-control and how to deal with people in a Godly manner and that I am more than ready to conquer the world,” she said. ENDS