23 Sep 2013

Government through the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) advocates for a system of quality education that is able to adapt to the changing needs of Batswana.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr Shaw Kgathi said during the hand over of a library at Mafetsakgang Primary School in Bobonong that MoESD recognised the importance of developing effective information systems and networks for support of research, communication and education in general.

The library was refurbished and equipped with books and furniture by Botswana Insurance Holdings Company Limited (BIHL) Trust Fund.
Mr Kgathi said the equipment was not only to equip children with knowledge, but also to give them a chance to experience and create an interesting platform for learning.

However, he noted that the challenge now lies in ensuring that the children access the facility, adding that it was an investment that would lead to a higher quality of human capacity and productivity in future.

He also acknowledged BIHL Trust Fund, saying they shared the same vision with government, hence they found it fit to invest in the schools to try and drive their mandate of providing primary schools with library facilities.

Mr Kgathi further said BIHL Trust Fund has adopted quite a number of schools around the country and that relationship has given the company an opportunity to better understand the school system.

That, he said would assist in strengthening and improving the schools programmes and curricular.He noted that the insurance partnership with schools was a long lasting one and that would enable them to take part in investing in the future of the society.

He highlighted that Mafetsangkgang Primary School was one of the fortunate to receive a fundamental and crucial resource of teaching and learning. He commended BIHL Trust Fund and all the stakeholders involved for their noble gesture, and appealed to the school community to handle that facility with care and make full use of it.

For his part, Major General Bakwena Oitsile said the BIHL Trust Fund has been established for the purpose of promoting worthy causes such as community projects that alleviate poverty and suffering in local communities.

Maj. Gen. Oitsile said in doing so the Trust shall promote activities that are educational to the community, support arts and culture, assist social and welfare development, be involved in the erecting or establishment of facilities and amenities as well as form partnerships with non-governmental organisations in issues of national concern and assist disadvantaged groups.

He also added that after thorough assessment of Vision 2016, the Compassionate, Just and Caring Nation pillar was found to be the one that meets the BIHL trust’s objective. Last year, he explained that BIHL trust identified education as its major focus area for 2012 and 2013.

Already, he said the trust, together with the Tlou family have started a Masters Scholarship in honour of the late Professor, Thomas Tlou, which scholarship is awarded annually. Ends