02 Sep 2018

The Ministry of Basic Education will soon effect some changes made in the school curriculum.

The ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, Mr Simon Coles, said this at Dutlwe Primary School’s 2017 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) victory celebrations recently.

Mr Coles indicated that such changes would include reducing the number of examinations and subjects to be examined.

That, he said was after they noticed that some examinations were not necessary.

He said some subjects such as Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) that gave students a chance to discover and nurture their talents would be given more focus.

Other changes, he said included increasing basic numeracy and literacy during the early years of the students’ academic journey.

On the other hand, having attained a 93.8 per cent pass rate in the 2017 PSLE, Mr Coles commended stakeholders for their contribution towards Dutlwe Primary School’s academic excellence.

He highlighted that education was one of the most vital necessities of life and therefore it was commendable that the school was doing well in that area.

That, he said was despite some challenges that the school was faced with which included lack of resources, teachers accommodation and classroom space just like the rest of the schools across the country.

“This should therefore be an example to other schools that such a shortage should not necessarily spell doom.

I would also urge the community to ensure that out of school children are followed up and encouraged to enroll,” he said.

The school head, Mr Tebogo Nalesha said the school’s good academic performance was a culmination of good working relations between teachers, parents and government departments in the village.

He said such support kept the school management on its toes to avoid disappointing.

Mr Nalesha, who was graduating the first batch of PSLE since taking the reigns, also made a commitment to maintain the school’s history of good academic performance.

Letlhakeng Sub-District Council chairperson, Mr Tlotlo Batlhophi encouraged teachers to keep the passion burning as that was the key to success.

He also advised the school leadership to be open to advice, no matter whom it came from, saying that would indicate absence of pride and willingness to learn.

Mr Batlhophi also pleaded with the ministry to make special provision for backlog eradication for teachers’ accommodation, especially at smaller villages where there were no decent houses in the village to rent. ENDS