24 Sep 2017

Days of white collar jobs are no more and so are the days of employee mentality.

Assistant Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Kgotla Autlwetse said this when giving a keynote address at Swaneng Hill School academic and sports excellence awards on September 22.

“The new world awaits the employer attitude. To date government’s database reflects 32 151 registered graduates awaiting government employment against only 328 vacant entry point job opportunities available. Change now,” he said.

Mr Autlwetse said it was for this reason that government pursued an outcome based curriculum so as to address the labour market needs by producing the right qualification.

“The 2015-2020 Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan’s (ETTSP) ideals direct the country’s educational need to a direct revitalised technical and vocational training. Change with the current. Seize the opportunity,” he aid.

He said Swaneng Hill School had, however, transformed in the last five years performance wise to resonate with the rich history of the institution.

“We have witnessed an academic leap from a national position of 18 in 2012 to position 11 for three consecutive years to date. This is worth celebrating,” he said.

Mr Autlwetse noted that the promising performance was a result of team work, and commended Swaneng High School Class of ’96 for being the ceremony organisers for two years.

He said a sound Parent Teachers Association (PTA) lured partners and commended them for making the pastoral system relevant.

“To you teachers in the midst of all the challenges from welfare to resources, never abandon your charm. Government hears your cry,” he said.

He commended the recipients for having toiled and pleaded with them to stay focused. Guest speaker, Senior Assistant Commissioner, Mr Christopher Mbulawa said Botswana Police Service was committed to improving the quality of education in the country.

He said this was evidenced by the fight against illicit drugs and abuse of related substances in school.

“Our young people all over Botswana are consumed by alcohol and substance abuse at a time when the country needs more responsible citizens who can champion the economy during this season of economic strain,” he said.

He said his office was pledging support to the teaching and learning platforms by being vigilant in the fight against such ills.

“We would want young people to be whistle blowers, be their brothers’ and sisters’ keeper in such toxic and destructive behaviours,” he said.

He also noted that they wanted to continue to partner with stakeholders in the fight against crime in general, including cyber-crime, drugs and substance abuse among others.

“As you might be aware performance in schools has dropped in public schools at an alarming rate and it is through this kind of collaboration that we can make this country a better place for our children,” he said.

Mr Mbulawa appealed to recipients to share the secret of their success with other staff and students so that they might be in the same space as they were in the near future.

“Let me also appreciate the vision that led to the Swaneng former students, Class of 96 who 20 years ago were learners at Swaneng to remember the needs of the school and volunteer to make a difference,” he said.

He encouraged the industry to continue partnering with the school.

“Let me appeal to all the critical stakeholders in the education of our children to seize this moment and make a difference in the land scale,” he said. ENDS