25 Mar 2021

A Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) official has appealed to stakeholders to play a part in the development of schools around the country.

The authority’s broadcasting and corporate relations director, Mr Aaron Nyelesi said the organisation had pledged to donate paint valued at over P100 000 to the Good

Hope Sub-district council for the Maiphitlhwane and Tlhareseleele primary schools.

“Let us be reminded of the spirit of botho which forms the foundation of what makes us Batswana. Being dependent on one another during times of need, help and support one another to reach common goals,” Mr Nyelesi said.

That, he said, was because government could not manage to develop schools single-handedly.

He added that it was for such a principle that BOCRA, together with Good Hope Sub-District and community, had joined hands to play a role in education through the donation of paint to refurbish the two primary schools.

Mr Nyelesi also said the donation paved the way for the school’s connectivity project aimed at computerising and providing broadband Internet to primary schools in remote and underserved areas in the country.

He said BOCRA, through its special vehicle called the universal access and service fund, which was mandated to roll out the project, undertook an ICT assessment for the Southern District in September last year to appreciate the status of ICT in the area and determine areas of need.

“Our aim is to ensure that the school’s connectivity project of computerising and providing broadband Internet in primary schools in remote and underserved areas in the country is done,” he said.

He said the council, through its manpower, would ensure that the paint was put to good use in transforming the appearance of the schools to facilitate ease of ICT connectivity.

“BOCRA continues to make its digital footprints and we hope that no community will be left behind, and projects such as these aim to help reach such notable milestones,” he said.

Good Hope Sub-District senior assistant council secretary, Mr Robert Rabasimane thanked BOCRA for the commitment towards the project.

He said he was pleased to have received the paints as they would go a long way in improving the condition of the two schools.

He added that the assistance came at the opportune time following a projected deficit which continued to see reduction in future budget allocations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He, however, made a commitment that the sub-council would further work closely with BOCRA in all their engagements. ENDS