23 Sep 2018

Institute of Development Management (IDM) has been applauded for its commitment to helping achieve human social development through quality education.

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, said this in Mantshwabisi where IDM donated 10 computers to the village’s primary school recently.

Ms Tshireletso said the project would go a long way in enhancing quality education and skills development for both pupils and teachers of the school, which was in line with NDP 11 priorities as well as the objectives of the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan.

“Under the education and skills development section of Vision 2036, it is indicated that education and skills are the basis of human resource development as they provide citizens with competencies to attain their full potential, thereby enabling them to effectively compete globally,” she said.

She said the gesture by IDM would  therefore help the nation realise the aspiration, more so that the partnership between her ministry and IDM extended beyond just the donation as it also involved the development of a joint research agenda on issues of common interest and the development of an action plan for Mantshwabisi community based on needs assessment and livelihoods analysis among others.

IDM county director, Dr Onalenna Seitio-Kgokgwe, said their cordial relations with Mantshwabisi Primary School started in 2016 when they were invited by the Department of Community Development to give the kids a word of motivation, where they also noted the school’s other needs.

She said that the lab would not only benefit students, but teachers as well to prepare proper planning and serve efficiently and effectively.

She said the computer lab would also help bridge the digital gap between rural and urban students.

Dr Seitio-Kgokgwe also made a commitment that IDM would continue supporting the school through capacity building in ICT education as well as training Mantshwabisi teachers in computer awareness so that they would be able to utilise the lab with minimal assistance.

The area Member of Parliament, Mr Liakat Kablay also appreciated the gesture by IDM, and said it had come in handy especially that the area lagged behind in both physical developments and good academic performance.

He said the lab would hopefully turn around the fortunes of the school and put the area youth in a better position to compete for better jobs rather than currently where they were relegated to menial jobs.

Mr Kablay also appealed for more assistance to other schools in the area as they were equally in need, especially in the era when computer awareness was a necessity.

He also said that other resources required in schools include photocopiers, especially when teachers need to conduct examinations.

The fully air-conditioned lab consists of 10 computers with internet connectivity and other necessarily consumables. ENDS