27 Sep 2020

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology Dr Douglas Letsholathebe has urged Matsiloje Junior Secondary pupils to work hard to achieve their goals.

Giving an encouragement speech at the handing over of sanitary pads and other toiletries to female learners  on September 24, Dr Letsholathebe, who is also the Tati East MP, said it was upon learners to decide on their future and not rely on parents to carve their path.

“I urge you to work hard towards your academic work. It does not require new media like computers for you to pass,” he said, citing himself as an example having attended his secondary education when there were no computers and still excelled.

Dr Letsholathebe informed pupils that the power was in them to be what they wanted to become in future provided they had determination, patience and worked hard. 

He condemned recent incidents in which pupils beat teachers and vandalised school property.

“I also urge you not to copy such behaviour because it will take you nowhere,” he added. 

He said tertiary education ministry was mandated to ensure that the country was transformed from a resource based economy to a knowledge based economy.

As such, he said government was investing a lot of money in the education sector to ensure the goal is achieved. 

To teachers and support staff, Dr Letsholathebe urged them to upgrade themselves through various forms of learning including online learning.

Dr Letsholathebe said the world,  including Botswana, was preparing itself for the fourth industrial revolution. 

He said as part of the global community Botswana, also wanted to export knowledge in future hence upgrading oneself was critical in achieving such goal. He hinted that research had shown that the involvement of parents in the education of their children was paramount. 

“All you need is to listen to your parents and guardians. Do things that will reflect that you are still children not adults,” he said.

He said the donations of sanitary pads would instill self-esteem and dignity among the pupils.

In his welcome remarks, School head, Mr Lebogang Setilo informed the minister that due to COVID-19, the school had divided classes into two sessions of mornings and afternoons. 

He said it was pleasing that since the outbreak  no learner was diagnosed with the coronavirus in the school.  

However, he said four teachers were under quarantine because they were exposed to COVID-19 and were expected to be released soon if their results came negative. 

He also talked to challenges faced by school, chiefly the continuous power cuts which disrupt lessons. 

Kgosi Eric Moipolai of Matsiloje advised learners to appreciate the donations because they would create a conducive learning environment for them. 

He urged the learners not to disappoint those who made the donations by not taking their education seriously adding that government alone could not provide everything without the involvement of the community.  

Students Representative Council deputy president Ms Arona Kgathi, who could not hide her excitement for the donations, saying they came at the right time when some female students failed to attend to school because they did not have sanitary pads. 

However, she decried the shortage of ablutions and geysers , adding that learners bathed in cold water.  

Matsiloje Councillor, Ms Florah Mpetsane appealed to the learners to always observe COVID-19 protocols by regularly washing hands and maintaining social distancing. 

The donations by Bana-Ba-Matsiloje, who reside in Gaborone included eight boxes of sanitary pads, four boxes of washing soap and 45 toothpaste amongst others. Ends