18 Jul 2017

Practical subjects are key in achieving a skill based economy.

Officially opening the  fifth annual Practical Subjects fair, where junior and senior schools from all regions of Botswana converged at Maun Senior Secondary School to compete and showcase talent, deputy permanent secretary in the

Ministry of Basic Education, Mr Simon Coles noted that practical subjects were worthwhile as his ministry was undertaking the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP).

‘The ETSSP five-year programme from 2015-2020 aims to have far-reaching effects on the future education in Botswana. It gives clear guidance to decision makers and planners at all levels and aims to improve education sector performance,’ he said. Mr Coles also said practical subjects would help drive Botswana move away from white collar jobs culture and help in diversifying the economy.

He noted that the exhibits and performances from the practical subjects contestants proven the abundant talent that existed in the country.

He commended teachers, adding that the exhibits showed that teachers produced more with less as they were challenged by shortage of resources.

In her welcome remarks, Maun SSS’s, Ms Selebatso Modiseemang encouraged the practical subjects’ teachers to keep on striving amidst the challenges of lack of equipment and resources to deliver.

National Practical Subject fair coordinator, Mr Benny Phiri suggested that practical subjects teachers be recognised for scarce skill allowance.

Mr Phiri also said some practical subjects should have risk allowance since teachers were exposed to hazards during demonstrations. He said the practical subjects fair was birthed in 2013 to bring together schools from all the 10 regions under one roof to compete as well as amass skills from one another.

Students contested against one another as solo, in pairs and groups in various categories in design and technology, art, physical education, home economics, music and business studies.

The hope is for the talent realised in such competitions to grow beyond the school premises and be beneficial to the students in future. BOPA