23 Nov 2020

 Two best academic performers from Mahupu Unified Secondary School in Takatokwane and Lempu Junior Secondary School in Salajwe will each walk away with a bull after passing  Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) and junior certificate examinations.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting in Salajwe on Tuesday, Takatokwane MP, Mr Friction Leuwe, said the prices would steer pupils towards better performance. 

He said education played a critical role in the development and growth of a nation, hence the need to encourage pupils to do well in their academic performance.

Thus, he said it was important for him to look for donors who could assist in an endeavour to encourage pupils. 

Mr Leuwe emphasised the importance of education in turning around the lives of pupils who he said were leaders of tomorrow.

 “A lot can be said about the role played by teachers in shaping the future of the pupils, but parents have to come on board and assist in making sure that all are committed to their studies,” he noted.

Responding to some of the challenges brought by Kgosi Moala Gaerupe of Salajwe, Mr Leuwe said some of the projects that were envisaged to be carried out during NDP 11 had been temporarily shelved due to the COVID 19 pandemic which had taken the world by storm. 

Kgosi Gaerupe had earlier in his welcome remarks requested an update on the impending construction of Salajwe-Letlhakeng road as promised by government in the past. 

He told the minister that his village was faced with a litany of challenges which included shortage of accommodation, shortage of office space and lack of amenities for offices. 

The traditional leader had also advocated for the transfer of public officers who had overstayed. 

He observed that overstayed officers tend to be demoralized and lacked the moral to effectively serve the people.

 However, Mr Leuwe said COVID 19 pandemic had negatively impacted economies which led to many governments around the world postponing some of their projects to channel resources to the fight against the scourge.

He acknowledged that shortage of accommodation for public officers was a national crisis and urged those who had the means to build houses and rent to government.

The MP was also concerned about the poor state of Salajwe clinic and called on the government refurbish it.  

He was of the view that clinics should be returned to the local government ministry where they were better administered as compared to the current situation. Ends