18 Aug 2019

The Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, has encouraged Mopipi and Rakops junior secondary schools pupils to value education because it is pillar of a knowledge-based society.

Mr Tsogwane, who is also Member of Parliament for Boteti West constituency, donated a computer to Mopipi JSS.

And, Rakops  JSS received 40 stools for laboratories, workshop equipment for design and technology and a computer.

He encouraged pupils to study hard and introspect on the importance of education.

“Be aware of why you are here and the importance of education. We are here to demonstrate to you, the value and importance of education as role models, so that you can envy what we have achieved and even aim at exceeding that,” he said.

He advised pupils to resist temptation of engaging in any form of negative behaviour that was likely to cloud their judgement.

“Behave positively and fall in love with your studies. Stay away from drugs, alcohol, negative influence and sexual activities. You have to wait for the right time when you are mature enough to make informed decisions. Behave like people who are destined on making a better future,” the Vice President said.

Mr Tsogwane said the current government under the leadership of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi was focused on establishing a knowledge-based society. 

He thus called upon the pupils to be at the forefront on driving a knowledge based society and realisation of the national vision 2036.

Mopipi school head, Ms Khumo Phori, informed Mr Tsogwane and his delegation that in 2018, the school experienced an 8.4 per cent improvement in Junior Certificate Examinations.

Ms Phori said stakeholders support through the Adopt-a-School initiative, had addressed most of the school’s challenges.

She said the school received a donation of 140 mattresses for pupils accommodated in boarding hostels.

Despite the support from individuals and companies, Ms Phori said the school still experienced shortage of water. 

“At times we are forced to release day scholars earlier to save the little water that we have for boarding pupils,” she said.

She said one of the challenges was shortage of accommodation for teachers and pupils. 

The school head at Rakops JSS, Ms Mositi Modisa said the school was faced with shortage of class rooms, laboratories and hostel accommodation.  

“We also have six vacant posts for senior teachers,” she said.

Ms Modisa said the school had a challenge of elephants that destroyed the school perimeters fence gaining access into the premises thereby exposing pupils to danger. 

She appealed for the school perimeter fence to be replaced with a security wall.

Mr Tsogwane donated 30 solar powered lights to each primary school in his constituency. 

He also donated 50 blankets to Rakops Primary Hospital and another 20 to Mopipi clinic.ENDS