21 Feb 2021

Member of Parliament for Maun East, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile has honoured three schools in his constituency with a cow each for performing exceptionally well in last year’s final examinations.

The recipients are Maitlamo and Tsodilo junior secondary schools and Boseja Primary School which topped in Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) in the constituency. Maitlamo attained position one in Junior Certificate Examination in the district.

Tsodilo Junior Secondary School was honoured for producing a pupil who topped the country in JCE. Mr Ngepeetjike Ngaruka made the district proud by attaining merit and becoming the best learner in the country.

Speaking during a courtesy meeting with school management, Mr Kekgonegile showered them with accolades for demonstrating commitment towards their work despite challenges encountered.

He explained that his constituency had taken a decision to award best performing schools by donating a beast as a way of motivating them. 

The beasts were meant to be slaughtered during prizing giving ceremonies, but since some activities had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Kekgonegile said schools could exchange the beasts for money and submit their priority needs to his office so that they could assist.

He explained that he decided to extend the honour to Tsodilo even though its performance was not satisfactory as the school had put the district on the map by producing a star.

Tsodilo, he said, used to be the district’s pride in terms of discipline and academic performance, but that it was unfortunate as in the last five years, the school had turned into unlawfulness because of delinquency amongst some pupils.

Mr Kekgonegile expressed concern that the school management was forced to invite law enforcement officers to restore peace and order instead of concentrating on improving results. 

He commended management for their efforts to address indiscipline in the school.

He also appreciated that management defied the odds despite trying times of COVID-19 pandemic. 

He urged management to double their efforts to maintain the standard as they had now put themselves on the spotlight because of good results.

On other issues, Mr  Kekgonegile revealed that government had recognised educators as frontline workers, and that they would be amongst the first group to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

He advised teachers to be cautious as they could be infected by the virus from their high risk work as well as the community.

Mr Kekgonegile emphasised that health protocols should be key in their activities, adding that teachers should be given priority in testing and contact tracing as they were at risk of being infected.

For her part, Tsodilo school head, Ms Bena Moseki appreciated the MP’s gesture, noting that the school had been receiving praises from different companies and individuals.

She said Mr Ngaruka had received an invitation from Maru-a-pula English Medium. Companies such as Debswana had also applauded the school for producing a star, she said.  

“The boy has indeed made us proud and we have come up with interventions to improve performance going forward. We are ready for competition with other junior schools,” she added.

 

Ms Moseki assured the area MP that they would strive to maintain the standard, adding that through team work with other stakeholders they could produce quality learners. ENDS