23 Jan 2019

Management of Bobonong Brigade Centre is determined to transform it into a centre of excellence.

This is according to the principal, Dr Masego Morima, who said they planned to produce well rounded learners that could  compete locally and internationally.

Speaking during the institution’s breakfast meeting on January 21 to brief stakeholders about some of the new programmes introduced at the centre, Dr Morima stated that to perform well in their studies, learners required the involvement of all stakeholders.

She said the school administrators and instructors were committed to the institution’s vision, mission and values as they aimed to be the leading vocational institution in the country.

She said they offered vocational skills that were relevant to the industry, hence their initiative to sponsor stakeholder collaboration for quality education.

Dr Morima stated that they offered fully Botswana Qualifications Authority accredited courses and follow the National Credit Qualification Framework standards to the latter.

The quality assurance, she said, was to ensure that they produced well rounded students who upon completion, would be able to compete internationally and also want to lure international students.

Dr Morima said this time around, the teaching would be largely work based and life skills training to ensure that learners got the requisite skills and enhance chances of getting employed or creating employment.

The centre offered four programmes being Furniture Design and Manufacturing, Painting and Decoration, Bricklaying as well as Auto Mechanics and Electronics, all offered at foundation, intermediate and certificate levels.

Deputy principal, Mr Thabo Mathala said such programmes as Carpentry, Joinery and Dressmaking, which were offered at Molalatau, had been relocated to other institutions. 

Under the new set up, Molalatau centre offered Painting and Decoration.

The deputy principal said the current enrollment stood at 350 new and continuing students. Although they had a larger number, which might be challenging, he stressed that they were determined to face whatever the challenge comes.

He cited the ablution block, workshops and dining as some of the challenges, but said they had plans to mitigate them. 

Mr Mathala also decried the bad state of the access road to the centre, and called for something to be done to put it in a traversable condition.

Those in attendance hailed the centre’s management for bringing them on board. 

Molalatau Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Peter Ngwako commended the centre management for committing themselves to producing well rounded students.

He challenged the brigade and other vocational centres to fight the misconception   that students enrolled at such institutions were academically challenged, saying vocational education was important as it had  proven to have contributed to the growth of the economies of some countries.

Kgosi Ezekiel Joel of Bobonong also decried the stigma attached to vocational education in the country and appealed to people not to demonise brigades. 

He said he was determined to see learners emerging from that centre with relevant skills and promised to work with other dikgosi in the area to ensure that the centre achieved its mandate. ENDS