25 Sep 2017

Collaborative efforts by both private and public entities towards improving learning conditions is needed to realise Vision 2036. 

Serowe Sub-region chief education officer, Ms Bernadette Monagen said this during the Malatswai Primary School prize giving ceremony recently. 

“I urge parents and stakeholders to join hands with teachers in monitoring and helping children with their studies as this strengthens the education system in our country,” she said.

She said if everyone was committed and dedicated in doing their part, low performance would be a thing of the past. 

Ms Monagen said stationery donated by the Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) to the school was a step towards attaining the theme of education for all: 'A Possibility Through Stakeholder Partnership.'

She said stakeholders should aim for education that embraced knowledge in all forms, be it curricular or co-curricular. 

“Those can equip pupils with survival skills for them to compete in the global world. This theme challenges us to build beneficial synergies for the benefit of the pupils and the country at large,” she said. 

She noted that the responsibility also lied with parents, teachers and pupils to ensure that pupils gained education that developed an all rounded human being. 

“We can only reap the benefits of education if we work together and appreciate the role of every stakeholder in the value chain,” she said.

Ms Monagen urged parents to inculcate a sense of purpose and responsibility in children before they even started school. 

“Let us not leave the responsibility to guide pupils to teachers alone. In this way, they will appreciate the value of schooling,” she said. 

She informed the staff and teachers of Malatswai primary that the importance of their leadership in achieving success could not be ignored. 

“As teachers, you are charged with a lot of responsibilities which entail preparing a learner to be an all rounded individual,” she said. 

She challenged teachers to display a high level of leadership so as to inspire pupils. 

HRDC chief executive officer, Dr Raphael Dingalo said they adopted Malatswai primary with the aim to encourage pupils to take their studies seriously. 

He said HRDC recognised the importance of education hence the decision to adopt the school and motivate pupils to have interest in their studies by awarding those who performed well with gifts. 

Dr Dingalo said the HRDC staff was committed to the initiative as the staff assisted with their salaries with the hope of making a difference in the children’s lives. 

The school principal, Ms Johanna Kgopo pleaded with the regional office to take heed of their concerns and assist with repairing the fence as livestock damaged water pipes. 

She said the water system toilets were dysfunctional and that it forced pupils to use pit latrines which were also not in a good state.

She said results were low, but there was considerable progress as reflected in this year’s PSLE mock exams. ENDS