23 Oct 2017

Canon Botswana has adopted Canon Gordon Primary School in Molepolole.

This was revealed by the company sales director, Mr Simon Stewart at the school’s prize giving ceremony on October 19.

Mr Stewart said it was a coincidence that when they were looking for a school to assist and support nine months ago, it was suggested that they help Canon Gordon Primary School, a school that shared the same name with the company, something that rarely happened.

He said although their relationship with the school had just started, they have donated a printer to the school to help with the printing of examination papers.

This is a welcome initiative since Molepolole primary schools have a challenge printing test papers as well as other school material to enhance learning.

He also said they noted that the school needed a photocopier, and that the computer laboratory needed to be upgraded.

He said they have put all into consideration and that others would also be considered in the not so distant future.

Mr Stewart encouraged pupils to note that the world was revolving at a rapid speed, and that it was critical that they position themselves by waking up every morning with a winning mentality to conquer the world by working and studying hard.

He also urged them to be patriotic and appreciate their country.

For her part, the school head, Ms Tsemaletsile Timisane appreciated what the company had done to aid learning.

Even though the school had been performing well academically and in extracurricular activities, she was of the view that more needed to be done.

Their wish, she said, was to attain 100 per cent quality ABC pass.

She, however, explained that the school’s results in the past five years had been satisfactory though in an upward and downward wave with above 65 per cent pass mark.

She noted that in 2012 the school achieved 65 per cent pass rate and in 2013, increased it to 81.5 per cent and dropped 11.3 per cent to settle at 70 per cent in 2014.

However, in 2015, there was a noticeable improvement of 12.3 per cent which catapulted the school’s results to 82.5 per cent.

Last year there was a slight decrease from 82.5 to 79.8 per cent.

With these results, Canon Gordon is still one of the best performing schools in Molepolole and one of the oldest primary schools.

The school head said although they try hard to improve results, there were challenges that pulled their efforts down such as parents who neglected their children and forcing pupils to come to school on empty stomachs.

She said some learners did not have proper school uniform while some were involved in wayward behaviour.

Those, she said, were some of the things that contributed to poor results.

Other challenges she said were shortage of toilets, staff houses and reception classes.

Explaining the objectives of the day, the deputy school head, Ms Phodiso Mmopi said the day sought to celebrate the school and learners’ achievements.

She said in their quest to improve results, awarding prizes to outstanding pupils was one way of motivating them, but that there were other strategies in place to motivate learners one being to engage parents and teachers through the Parent Teacher Association as well as Parent Child Association where the parent and the learner engaged each other through homework and assignments.

“Debates are also used as a platform where pupils can engage further with other learners to build their confidence and enhance their comprehension on issues,” she said.

Intellectually challenged pupils have not been left behind as they were encouraged to utilise their other talents such as agricultural activities to cater for all learning abilities.

Canon Gordon Primary School has 804 pupils and a staff compliment of 55. ENDS