29 May 2017

Assistant Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Mr Fidelis Molao says the handing over of educational materials and equipment to the Mmaothate community will promote inclusive and equitable quality education.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony of the equipment which was donated to Mmaothate Community Learning Centre by Bridge Africa Project last week, Mr Molao said the government was aware of the challenges the community had endured as well as efforts they had made to ensure their children benefitted from education.

Mr Molao also hailed Bridge Africa Project for its commitment, saying since it started last year, it had already managed to deliver on two of the three major components it set out to achieve.

He said the third component which involved the construction of the Mmaothate Community Learning Centre was due to commence.

He said among the components that the project managed to deliver was capacity building covering 300 parents and caretakers, 15 pre-school teachers and 40 adult education facilitators.

He said it was in addition to the material which was being handed over.

“It is therefore my wish that these material together with the community learning centre whose construction would start soon remain a symbol of friendship between Botswana and the Republic of Korea in years to come,” he said.

Mr Molao also urged residents to take proper care of the equipment so that it could benefit even children in generations to come.  

He also expressed gratitude to the Korea National Commission for UNESCO and Korean residents for the funds.

A representative of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO, Ms Lesedi Kim said it was an inherent right of every human being to access a decent learning environment and quality education as it helped empower citizens, communities and the nation.

She said cooperation between Botswana and Korea has already yielded fruits, especially in the field of education.

“I firmly believe that in 2020 when this project comes to an end, Mmaothate Community Learning Centre will be a model centre, providing access to quality education for all adults and children,” she said.

For his part, the area Member of Parliament, Mr Liakat Kablay commended education authorities in Letlhakeng for choosing Mmaothate among the many areas in need to benefit from the donations.

He said although more still needed to be done, the assistance by the Koreans was a welcome development as Mmaothate children had been travelling long distances in harsh conditions to attend school as far as Thebephatshwa.

He said the gesture also showed Korean’s trust in the state of governance in Botswana, and that hopefully it was the beginning of more assistance to come.

He also informed residents that Mmaothate has now been incorporated into Monwane as a ward, and that they would start enjoying government services such as water provision.

Some of the equipment that was donated included shade nets for outdoor activities, 5 000 litres water tank, flushable mobile toilets, sick bay bed and linen as well as teacher’s furniture and feeding equipment. ENDS