07 Nov 2019

 The just ended visit of 41 Japanese learners to Botswana has nurtured  Botswana-Japan relations, says Ministry of Basic Education permanent secretary, Ms Bridget John.

She was speaking at November 6’s ministry function to bid farewell Japan’s Ritsumeikan Keisho High School learners.

The learners were in Botswana under the auspices of Botswana-Japan education sector cooperation, an annual visit to Maun Senior Secondary School which has been going on for the past three years.

She pointed out that Japan had over the years assisted Botswana in many ways such as in education, mainly on early childhood matters, teacher support especially in the mathematics and science fields.

Ms John said the ministry would utilise Japanese education expertise in the rolling out of its strategic plan.

 Furthermore, she said the visit was beneficial because upon their return back home, the learners  would share their experiences with family and friends hence promoting tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries. 

She also revealed that the Japanese pupils also learnt ways of conserving nature and wildlife amidst unfavorable conditions of drought. 

The ambassador of Japan to Botswana Mr Kozo Takeda emphasised that some Japanese schools saw Botswana as a destination of choice where their learners could appreciate new things.

He suggested that Botswana should take advantage of Japan’s huge population by seriously marketing the country there especially in schools.

That would bring learners to Botswana on cultural exchange and in the process promoting tourism, he said.

The ambassador said upon their return to Japan, the learners would undertake various promotional activities to create public awareness about Botswana.

Whilst in Botswana the learners had the opportunity to visit the Okavango Delta and learn about Botswana’s natural resources, as well as experience Botswana’s tourism.ENDS