05 Dec 2018

 Assistant Minister of Basic Education Mr Thato Kwerepe has described the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO) as a way od  fostering passion, knowledge and communication within future scientists.

Officially launching the 15th edition of IJSO in Gaborone on December 3, Mr Kwerepe said the olympiad built a foundation for future careers in structural knowledge, technology and innovative economies.
He said  the competitions, which engaged learners aged 15 years and below, encouraged development of scientific knowledge within the young whilst affording them the chance to cooperate and socialise.
The platform allowed young minds and brains to tussle it out, flexing their brain power in the olympic spirit, a spirit of friendship and competition, he said.

Held annually, Mr Kwerepe said IJSO was the only international academic competition that covered Physics, Chemistry and Biology as well as demanding competitors to exhibit broad knowledge in all the three sciences.
Held under the theme: ‘Discovery, Innovation and Environment’, the event brings together more than 40 countries and is organised by the Ministry of Basic Education in collaboration with Botswana Science Association (BOTSA).

The theme, Mr Kwerepe said, was apt because students, teachers, government and industry efforts were being directed to face every day environmental challenges.
“The challenges faced by individuals, families, institutions, villages and nations were explored on how they could be turned into opportunities. We do this to enhance our efforts in research, innovation and design advances in technology which may be harnessed to better our lives,” he said.

He said this was in line with the Vision 2036 aspiration of building a transformed and prosperous Botswana by providing citizens with competencies to attain their full potential.
The assistant minister also spoke of the theme’s relevance to the current uncertain global climate and environmental changes which had the potential to impact on water sources, crops, livestock as well as livelihoods.
“We live in a time of momentous change hence the relevance of the theme; it is therefore only innovative scientific minds that could work out coping strategies for people and economies,” he said.
According to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said, millions of youth lacked basic numeracy and literacy skills which was more evident in Africa.

Mr Kwerepe said the fourth SDG called for improvement of school enrolment and provision of quality education which required appropriate infrastructure, effective systems and adequate resources.
IJSO local organizing committee representative Professor Julius Atlhopeng said the competitions were aimed at making science at an early age a success.
Prof. Atlhopeng said the SDG aimed at ensuring inclusive, equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities could be achieved by globally competitive youth.
He  expressed appreciation for BOTSA’s continued contribution  in ensuring that pupils competed at district level and ultimately participated in IJSO.

He commended teachers in taking the lead in forming key institutions that built learning and improving success levels for children. ENDS