09 Apr 2018

Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security, Mr Patrick Ralotsia’s burning desire to turn around results for both junior and senior secondary schools within the area of his jurisdiction seem to be raging on, nine years down the line.When he first mooted the idea in 2009 as a councillor in Kanye, many dismissed the initiative as an ambitious undertaking that would not even take off the ground.

 

Ralotsia’s pledge to students was simple; ‘Pass with flying colours and I will reward each one of you with a heifer for your efforts’

This was perhaps too good to be true to naysayers, but the Kanye North lawmaker remained steadfast and results for the idea are there for everybody to see.Minister Ralotsia said during a joint ceremony to reward academic excellence by Mathiba Junior and Seepapitso Senior secondary schools on April 6 that he was happy that many parents and community leaders were now warming up to the noble idea.

 

“The journey continues and I am particularly happy some councillors have not only embraced the idea, but have pledged their support to become part of this great initiative,” he said.

He stated also that he believed in transformational leadership that invested in the education of future posterity.

“Investing in the education of these young people is akin to investing into the future and well being of our country and this we should do without flinching,” he affirmed.Moreover, Minister Ralotsia assured students that government remained committed to sending high-fliers to choice schools the world has to offer to further advance them as individuals and  the nation respectively.

 

It is for this reason that the Kanye North legislator called on students to refrain from unruly behaviour, which he said had got a lot to do with poor results registered in schools.South region director under the Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE), Mr Acro Maseko said contrary to views by some people, the region was the most improved countrywide in 2016.

 

He promised results wouldcontinue to improve for the better and promised a 70 per cent pass rate for Primary School Leaving Examinations for 2018.Thatwithstanding, Mr Maseko expressed disappointment when it comes to junior secondary, where he stated proliferation and abuse of drugs continued to impede progress among students.

 

He said however that measures were in place to try and reverse the tide. 

Mr Maseko thanked all stakeholders including farmers who had demonstrated support to the initiative by Minister Ralotsia.

His wish is to see the initiative extended to primary schools so tha pupils could be spurred on from a young age.

 

Three former star pupils from Mathiba JSS namely; Oliver Kgaodi, Letty Molefi and Thanduvela Guma, who all got A’s in the Junior Certificate Examination and one star pupil, Masego Pinaemang from Seepapitso Senior Secondary School, who scored a respectable 48 points in her Form Five examinations for 2017, each went away with a heifer, courtesy of Minister Ralotsia’s noble gesture. ENDS