17 Sep 2018

 Bishop France Nabuasah of Roman Catholic Church in Francistown has thanked government for according his church an opportunity to contribute to the country's development by educating many citizens.

Bishop Nabuasah said this at St Joseph's College's 90th anniversary celebrations in Kgale on September 15.

He said  there was hope that  St Joseph’s community could still improve on the previous achievements.

“The overall academic records indicates that you have done very well. Taking the first positions in the past six years confirms this. I dream of seeing position one with 90 per cent pass rate. This is my challenge to you”.

The school head, Ms Constance Male, explained that the school began with only three students, and one teacher. 

But it boasts of 1 725 students, 120 teachers, 65 support staff and the average class size is 47 students while the highest number in a class is 51.

“Ten years ago the school celebrated 80 years of existence under the theme, ‘80 years of divine excellence, ’ we are now celebrating 90 years under the theme: We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit,’ a quote from Aristotle.”

She said excellence was a value that parents, staff and students should uphold, adding that the value was in line with the school motto: Per Aspera ad Astra - Through difficulties to the stars.

Ms Male explained that the school maintained position one in the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) national examinations with improved credits pass, noting that it  was the first school to produce a golden star since 2009. 

Not only that, it was the first school that had produced four golden stars in nine years of BEC excellence awards, she said.

Ms Male thanked the  school management for its dedication, noting that the management upheld the spirit of excellence and discipline.

“On the issue of moral standards, we still have cases of substance abuse, dagga and other general misconduct like any other secondary school in the country.”  

Meanwhile the Director of Schools in the South East Region, under the Ministry of Basic Education, Mr Labane Mokgosi, said it was difficult for him to imagine what the world was like for the first students who entered St Joseph’s College 90 years ago.

According to him it was in 1928 when Bishop Herman Meysing of Kimberly performed the school’s official opening.

He was of the view that the more things changed the more the St Joseph’s community remained constant which  had been displayed the schools academic performance.

He said the country’s vision 2016, urged Batswana to become an educated and informed society, noting it was a challenge that required Batswana to play their role in the education system. 

“We need teachers who do not only show dedication in their work, but are willing to lead the nation in pursuit of knowledge and information, consistent with the development policy of the country as well as the aspiration of the people of Botswana.”

However, retired Bishop of the Catholic Church, Bishop Boniface Setlalekgosi told the audience that one of the first students was the late Alosious Kgarebe, the son of the late Johannes Kgarebe. 

He also said some of the chiefs who were against the Catholic Church sent their children to St Joseph’s College, Tshekedi Khama III sent his niece Naledi Khama and son Leapetswe, Kgosi Bathoen I sent his son the late Seepapitso IV and Kgosi  Molefi sent his daughter and son the late Kgosi Linchwe II. ENDS