04 Jun 2019

Mathiba Junior Secondary School teachers, who coach sport, have been applauded for working beyond normal work hours, despite pending issues of overtime.

Kgosing ward councillor in Kanye, Mosekisi Rangobane, said this during an appreciation ceremony for COSSASA medalists, Kgotso Tlholwe and Oleseng Onaathata both pupils at the school.

Tlholwe was part of Botswana’s 400m X 100m relay team that took first position.

 He also scooped silver for 400m and long jump while Onaathata only made it to the national finals where he came third.

Rangobana said it was important for teachers to continue discharging extra-curricular duties while awaiting the outcome of their negotiations lest they jeopardized their case with the employer.

He said their efforts were being noticed and appreciated.

Rangobana also encouraged talented pupils to take sport seriously and carve themselves career paths in the same. He stressed that gone were the days when sport was just a pastime.

Furthermore, he applauded the school head, Monty Keipeile for the stewardship he provided. Rangobana said the school continued to achieve great feats under his watch.

He further pledged to pay a two year school fees at Seepapitso Senior Secondary School for top three pupils from the last final examinations.

The Kgosing ward councilor explained that the intention was to motivate tothers to continue working hard in their studies.

For his part Keipeile thanked Mokganedi Thomas, night watchman who doubled as a football coach and William Seokwang, craft improver-cum table tennis coach for going extra mile.

He shared that Seokwang produced players for the national team every year.

His team, it was further revealed, scooped 15 medals at national level in 2015 and 13 medals in 2017.

Keipeile also commended teachers, among them, Monametsi Kgote, Thatayaone Poiya, Emmanuel Makuruetsa and Obolokile Ramaologa for working beyond the normal hours to meet the exigency of their service.

He also urged pupils to use the tablets they were given as gifts for nothing other than academic research.

Parents Teacher association (PTA) chairperson, Kabo Kwape, encouraged parents to attend meetings and buy children full uniform.

He said a full uniform boosted a learners’ social confidence, which he described as a critical building block for learning. ENDS