25 Sep 2017

There is need to continuously review teaching strategies and methods to support students in their learning in order to realise effective instruction in the classroom. 

Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) human resource manager, Mr Tebatso Hule said this at a prize giving ceremony held at Mopipi Junior Secondary School recently. 

He said information and technology presented an opportunity to support the process, and that it was vital that all stakeholders involved continuously sought ways to improve the process of learning. 

“To strive for excellence in education means to strive for a brighter future,” he said. 

The ultimate aim of society through its curriculum, he said, was to encourage learners to aim for academic excellence. 

He commended government for reviewing the curriculum, noting that it would provide relevant education leading to the development abilities of the future generation. 

Mr Hule stated that prize giving should not only be a celebration of achievement, but also as an opportunity for inspiration to those receiving and those who may not be receiving awards. 

The day, he said, was about each student taking stock of their attitude and motivation towards learning, adding that each student had the potential and opportunity to be recipients of awards and future awards. 

He implored students to challenge themselves beyond their own capabilities, and to know that circumstances of their surrounding did not have to define them. 

The success of any school, he said, was dependent on cooperation, attitude, enthusiasm and commitment of teachers, parents and students including government as well as private sector support. 

Mr Hule urged parents and guardians to play a vital role in school curriculum, child welfare, general attendance and discipline of their children. 

He also encouraged parents to provide the necessary support for optimum delivery on the part of their children. 

Furthermore, he implored teachers to practice the highest professional ethics in their teaching so as to help students face up to challenges and see opportunities for growth and betterment. 

He added that education opened avenues for the emergence of leaders and allowed them to make valuable contribution to decision making for the benefit of educational progress and sustainable development. 

He said teachers needed to be equipped with training and equipment that would help them perform their duties. 

He added that it was essential that the government and private sector should collaborate to ensure that teachers were given the necessary support to enable to realise intended goals. 

Mr Hule also appealed to the private sector to play its role in the education of children, saying Debswana continued to demonstrate its commitment to education by supporting government efforts. 

He noted that through their corporate social investment programme, Debswana has established a partnership with the education ministry through which the company provided specialist teachers to Orapa Junior Secondary School in areas of mathematics, science and English. 

The company, he said, also assisted Mopipi JSS with funds to purchase computers and a printer for the library, adding that the school was also supported with over P145 000 to replace malfunctioning tools in the design and technology laboratory. 

Debswana, he said, had also disbursed P5 000 to support the school to buy prizes for students. ENDS