18 Oct 2018

Ministry of Basic Education (MoBE) exists to facilitate government’s mandate of educating Batswana.

Assistant Minister Thato Kwerepe, who is also Ngami legislator said during the handover of ablution block to Molapowabojang Primary School by Botswana Building Society on Wednesday that the issue of access and equity remained central to MoBE.

“We exist to ensure that no learner is left behind regardless of the circumstances and geographical location,” he said.

It is upon this background that the assistant minister expressed delight and appreciation for the noble gesture by BBS in supporting government’s efforts to ensure provision of quality education to the rest of the nation.

Mr Kwerepe was hopeful that the donation would go a long way in fostering and creating an enabling environment for both teachers and learners to fully realise their potential in pursuit for excellence.

Assistant Minister Kwerepe said government wanted to produce movers and shakers that would not only stand out and shine locally, but also further afield like its diamonds.

Mr Kwerepe therefore called on school management to make sure that the facilities were taken care of at all times.

The BBS managing director, Mr Pius Molefe said his organisation was happy to have partnered with Molapowabojang Primary School after receiving a desperate plea for assistance from the school head in April.

He said he and the executive management committee were moved by the conditions as described by the school head and jumped at the opportunity to help.

“This is particularly meaningful given that childhood is an important time to promote a healthy lifestyle and this includes pupils having access to clean, safe and functional facilities.

It should be our aim that unkept toilets in our public schools become a thing of the past,” he said.

The School head, Ms Cecilia Tshamekang was full of praises for the spirit of giving and compassion displayed by BBS,  something she said needed to be encouraged and inculcated on pupils and indeed the society in general.

Botswana Building Society gesture, Ms Tshamekang noted, will remain imprinted in the hearts of the pupils, parents and Molapowabojang community for years on end.

The P460 000 project includes three ladies toilets with basins, two men’s toilets with urinary and wash basins, a small kitchen fitted with hot water and two toilets for learners with disabilities as well as refurbishing of old pupils toilets.

ENDS