18 Jul 2019

Kweneng District scout team was awarded a trophy for making notable strides in the development and growth of scout movement in the country.

The Executive chairperson of Scout in SADC, Mr Ezekiel Malenga recognised the district  team during the launch of the Botswana Scout Association in the North West District at Boro recently.

In an interview with BOPA Mr Malenga revealed that the district had a privately owned English Medium Primary School in Mogoditshane, Believers Destiny Academy which had an enrollment of over 300 pupils in scout movement.

He said the pupils’ commitment was underlined by their decision to wear the scout uniform to school.

The district was reported to be taking the lead in membership recruitment throughout the country and also living the movement principles. 

He also explained that the United Nations (UN) through the World of Scout Movement (WSM) encouraged scout movements in countries to follow the world scout principle of ensuring that one million people join the movement by 2023.

The WSM was formed to encourage the scouting movements across the globe to promote unity and understanding of its purpose and principles and by supporting its expansion and development.

Its purpose is to contribute to the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities.

As such, Mr Malenga said through the school in Kweneng, Botswana became second for playing a key role recruitment drive hence they found it fit to award the district for their efforts.

He also announced that the school’s target was to increase the number to 800 next year.

“This is a commendable effort and it is a sign that the school is following the principle laid down by the movement.”

The district also introduced a boot camp programme citing that they had been working with some schools as they were concerned by the behaviour and poor academic performance of pupils.

He said the boot camp aimed to instill high academic discipline and motivate pupils at different levels. 

Mr Malenga said a lot was being done at boot camps noting that students were also taught skills aligned to science, technology, engineering and maths so that they apply what they acquired in their communities.

He said although the Takatokwane students’ behaviour had deteriorated, through the boot camp, they restored their behaviour and said there was a notable change at the school.

He said due to the boot camp effectiveness they expanded to senior schools such as Matsha in Kang, Moshupa and Gaborone Senior Secondary School.

Mr Malenga stated that they had engaged the Ministry of Basic Education to identify a centre to cater for suspended students after realising that students serve the suspension period and return to schools with the same manner.

“The centre would rehabilitate and mold them into responsible citizens and we plead with the ministry to support them to achieve their dreams.”

The Minister of Basic Education, Mr Bagalatia Arone said they were re-organizing the ministry’s budget to ensure boat camps become a permanent programme in the education system. He said they wanted boot camps to also target teachers. 

Receiving the trophy, Kweneng scout commissioner, Mr Moagi Gaadingwe said the prize would  motivate their team, adding that their district work as a unit and enjoyed support from schools management. Ends