14 May 2018

A total of 96 students have graduated with a certificate in basic ICT skills in the latest training undertaken in Masunga.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony recently, Maruje Community Junior Secondary School’s Mr Leach Oitsile said this year’s theme, Libraries and ICT: Bridging the Information Gap, was in line with government’s initiative to drive the community towards achieving the pillars of Vision 2036, specifically the sub-theme of education and skills development.

Mr Oitsile said libraries provided free and accessible educative material, which people should take advantage of to stay abreast of current affairs.

He encouraged the public to align themselves with computer-based teaching techniques.

“This is the 21st century generation which no longer relies on outdated means of communication, but rather appreciate the introduction of social media platforms and ICT impact on the people,” he said.  

Receiving best of the best award, Ms Keatlaretse Khuta appreciated the role played by Masunga Public Library in empowering residents willing to acquire ICT with skills.

She said the certificate would boost her curriculum vitae and prepare her to be globally competitive.

Ms Khuta, who also holds an Associate Degree in marketing, said she did not give up when job opportunities got scarce, but enrolled in Botswana National Service programme, which landed her a job with the North East District Council as a community development officer.

Cautioning the graduates about misusing ICT, Detective Constable Leatile Kelemogile stated that cybercrime was a cause for concern in Botswana, hence the establishment of the Cyber Crime and Computer related Offences Act.

He said cyber fraud and extortion was on the rise with people being swindled through the use of technology.

Also on the increase was the use of technology to publish and share pornographic material, he said.

Kgosi Thabo Monaga expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Culture Development for finding it fit to introduce the ICT course to empower residents. Ends