11 Jun 2017

The Japanese Embassy has handed over a guidance and counselling block to Radisele Junior Secondary School (JSS) in the Serowe South constituency.

The block, which was constructed to the tune of over P438 000, is the 41st among 49 projects that the embassy has assisted with under the grant scheme.

Handing over the project on June 9, Japan’s Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Masahiro Onishi said prior to the construction of the block, there was no facility to counsel students with social problems.

He noted that the school had been providing counselling to students at the corner of teacher’s rooms which was difficult for both teachers and students to secure a private space and keep conversations confidential.

Mr Onishi said students at junior certificate worry not only about their study, but also their human relations and their future career because they were in the transitional stage from children to adults.

“I sincerely hope that this facility will contribute to the improvement of academic results of the students, and to the reduction of various social and health problems such as HIV/AIDS and adolescent pregnancy,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Onishi said last year marked not only the 50th anniversary of independence, but also the 50th year of diplomatic relations between Japan and Botswana.

“I am confident that this new guidance and counselling block will be proof of the friendly ties between the two countries.

For her part, Radisele JSS School head, Ms Tlotlego Motshidisi thanked the Japanese embassy for the facility.

She said it would reduce overcrowding and enable teachers to better attend to the individual and special needs of students.

She noted that the facility would benefit 581 students from various villages such as Pilikwe, Tewane, Mogome, Mokgware and Otse.

She cited declining academic results as challenges facing the school, saying the school was failing to reach the national target of 60 per cent ABC.

She noted that last year the school attained 34.62 per cent, putting the school at position seven in the Palapye sub region and position 91 nationwide.

In addition, she called on other organisations to adopt the school.

For his part, Palapye Administration Authority chairperson, Mr Lesedi Phuthego also thanked the Japanese embassy for the new facility, adding that the embassy had helped the Ministry of Basic Education.

He said the facility was of significance to the lives of young people, and also marked a healthy relationship between the two countries.

He said peer pressure influenced adolescents to indulge in drugs, alcohol, smoking and street fights which ultimately affected their education.

“My expectation is to see improved results. Cherish this building by producing good results,” he said. ENDS