02 Sep 2019

 Kgosi Omphile Bogoma of Komana has hailed First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) Foundation and Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) for their commitment to enhance learning among primary school children at remote areas.

He said so when the two companies donated Solar Backpacks and pencil sets to Nxaraga satellite school pupils at Nxaraga on Friday. 

The donation is geared towards supporting pupils’ learning at home.

Kgosi Bogoma thanked the duo for the noble gesture, saying that it would help learners to develop an interest in school, adding that some were not attending school as often as expected despite efforts by government to ensure they access education closer. 

He urged parents not to use the solar bag to charge their cellphones.

The government acceded to calls by residents of Nxaraga in the North West District to establish a school in their village.

The satellite school was established after the parents complained about children travelling 18 kilometres to Komana Primary School.

Currently, the school has an enrollment of 105 pupils from Standard One up to Standard Five.

Some residents commended the donors for playing a critical role towards the education system given that the school had been under performing. 

He expressed optimism that the donation would make a huge difference.

Maun Administrative Authority assistant council secretary, Ms Pedzani Mahama appreciated their partnership with FNBB Foundation, adding that the foundation had been doing a commendable job across the country.

She expressed gratitude for the donation with the belief that it would indeed improve learning. 

Ms Mahama appealed to parents to ensure the donations are used for their intended purpose, which is improving the children’s results.

Komana Primary School head, who is also managing the satellite school, Ms Sophie Mogalakwe also showered the donors with accolades and attested that the school had been under performing.

She admitted that some pupils had abandoned school because of lack of parental guidance,  adding that most pupils stayed home alone while their parents were living at the cattleposts.

Ms Mogalakwe said village leadership, social workers and teachers were making efforts to follow such children because they believed that they had to exercise their right to education.

Maun FNB branch manager, Ms Kelebogile Disang explained that the donation was made out of love to the community.

She said the government alone could not meet all the communities’ expectation, hence the need for the private sector to come to the party and assist where possible.

FNBB Foundation and BPC  she said had jointly ventured into a unique approach to support the development and growth of primary school children in as far as improvement of academic performance is concerned as part of their corporate social responsibility.

The initiative had been rolling out to several villages and towns in the drive to make education more accessible and reach more children.

Ms Disang explained that the solar bags were made such that students could comfortably carry their books to school while at the same time the panel attached to the bag gets charged during the day so that the light bulb encased within the bag produces enough light to aid during studies at home in the night.

She encouraged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the donation, especially that some pupils could not study well at home due to absence of electricity.

 “We find it fit to extend a helping hand to the children because they are the future leaders and through the donation, we intend to close the gaps between remote and urban pupils as far as education is concerned,” she added. Ends