21 Aug 2017

Minister of Basic Education, Dr Unity Dow has commended Diloro Primary School for a job well done in the 2016 PSLE examinations.

The school scooped position one in the Central District after attaining a 100 per cent ABC pass rate.

Speaking during the Central District Council (CDC) Academic Excellence Awards in Diloro on Friday, Dr Dow said the discipline and determination shown by both students and teachers made the school victorious in the PSLE examinations.

She commended the school head, Ms Esther Molelo for instilling the spirit of hard work and determination among students and teachers.

“We acknowledge your passion and dedication, you are one of the school heads who lead their schools with excellence,” she said.

Dr Dow further commended efforts by teachers to bring good results as was the case before the 2011 public service strike.

She said many good things were happening in education, citing pride in the profession.

She added that teachers were doing their best to improve performance in their respective schools.

Dr Dow also gave parents a pat on the back, saying there was increased parental participation in schools across the country.

In addition, she noted that the country would be hosting the International Junior Science Olympiad next year. She said over 50 countries were expected to participate.

Minister Dow said it was upon teachers to prepare students for the competitions, adding that the country should get a gold medal.

She urged teachers to introduce chess in their extra-curricular activities, saying it improved students ability to solve mathematical problems.
Chess, she added, enabled students to think strategically and also promoted discipline.

Palapye Administrative Authority chairperson, Mr Lesedi Phuthego commended the partnership between the Central District Council and the Ministry of Basic Education.

He said education could not be realised if the two did not work together.

Mr Phuthego said the secret of success in education was good leadership, adding that leadership instilled discipline, determination and hard work among teachers and students.

He urged parents to continue giving children support even at higher levels of education.

Ms Molelo said the school achieved 100 per cent ABC pass rate because of the adoption of learner centred methods as opposed to teacher centred methods.

She said both teachers and students worked hard to attain position one, and that they set themselves targets.

She also thanked parents for giving her school support.

The top four schools in the district included Mhalapitsa, Dagwi, Lentswe le Moriti and Senete primary schools.

The ceremony was graced by former vice president, Dr Ponatshego Kedikilwe. ENDS