24 Sep 2013

Standard Chartered Bank will sponsor a child from a disadvantaged family to attend school at Mount Pleasant English Medium Primary School from reception till Standard Seven.

Speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of the school in Selebi Phikwe recently, the bank’s chief executive officer, Mr Moatlhodi Lekaukau said the sponsorship would include tuition fees, books, uniform and other material that might be necessary for extra curricula activities. Mr Lekaukau said he hoped other companies would follow the example of Standard Bank by contributing to the education of young Batswana.

He commended Mount Pleasant English Medium Primary School for its achievement. He emphasised the importance of education in society, stating that it played an important role in developing a nation. He acknowledged government’s investment in education, adding that some Batswana benefitted from studying in overseas universities through government funding.

He also said the relationship between Standard Bank and Mount Pleasant dated back many years as the institution had been the bank’s client.The founder of the school, Ms Edna Swaniker said the school has experienced challenges over the years, especially when students were transferred to other schools when parents went to work in other places.

Ms Swaniker said in most instances, when children reached Standard Four, parents felt that their children had acquired adequate English and basic education and moved them to government schools. She also said it was difficult to recruit local teachers because they preferred to teach in government schools for job security and promotions, further training and other benefits that the government offers.

She added that school fees at Mount Pleasant English Medium School were affordable to middle income families. ENDS