16 Sep 2019

Makgadikgadi Junior Secondary School management has been urged to transform the school into a hub of excellence and benchmark nationally.

Orapa Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines(OLDM) Asset Management Engineer, Mr Omphemetse Seabe, said during the handing over of two modern classrooms at the school in Mosu, funded by Debswana at a tune of P240 000 recently.

The event was also combined with a prize giving ceremony.

The project followed a request by school management to increase teaching facilities through conversion of outdoor facilities into enclosed classrooms with a key objective of addressing shortage of classrooms.

Mr Seabe stated that for transformation to take effect there had to be innovation, noting that organisations, schools, companies and countries that did not transform collapsed.

Mr Seabe encouraged teachers and the school in general to devise ideas that could transform the school.

He emphasised that excellence was in line with competition, adding that pupils competed for few spots at senior secondary schools, universities and would further compete for jobs as they advance.

“As a nation we are competitors with other countries through foreign direct investment and international trade issues,” he said.

Mr Seabe encouraged the learners to be the best in everything because the world had become a big village.

He cautioned them that they would be left behind in terms of development if they did not embrace excellence.

More Batswana, he said should be seen taking more jobs internationally at organisations such as the African Union, the United Nations, De Beers, Microsoft, Anglo American, and Apple among others.

In addition Mr Seabe pleaded with the pupils to guard against conduct that would expose them to immorality and its associated social ills such as alcohol and substance abuse, sexual activity, early marriages and pregnancies among others.

He said a large demographic of pupils were considered to be needy, orphans or remote area dwellers indicating a significant lack of parental guidance and support.

He said many learners relied on the school for more than just an education, as a safe place to learn, interact and grow in to productive and successful members of society.

Debswana pledged P5000 towards the school’s celebration 

The school head Mr Lentibile Kubuitsile said the school’s vision was to produce enlightened pupils who would be able to compete globally by the year 2036.

Mr Kubuitsile the school’s academic performance was low and stood at a 13.7 per cent in 2018, 25.5 per cent in 2017 and 16.1 per cent in 2016.

The challenges encountered by the school included  lack of machines, inadequate textbooks, shortage of classroom, office space and staff housing.  ENDS