27 Jan 2022

The multimillion Pula infrastructure project at Gaborone International School (GIS) is expected to impact positively not only on Block 8 community and students but the nation at large.
The project that is expected to be completed by November this year consist of Science and Technology block, sports facilities and road upgrading.

Speaking at ground-breaking ceremony of the proposed project, Assistant Minister of Basic Education Ms, Nnaniki Makwinja said the science and technology centre would motivate young people and harness technological advancement opportunities’.

Ms Makwinja applauded GIS leadership for ensuring that children were equipped with digital literacy from a tender age.

Further, she said road upgrading in and around the school would be such a welcome development in an era where COVIOD -19 was posing a challenge in the country’s economy, as the road would not only ease access to the school but improve safety for both in -school and out of school users.

“I wish to encourage other institutions to consider embracing initiatives like these, which supports governments ideals and also contribute towards the country’s development for the benefit of the now and future generation,” noted Ms Makwinja.

The GIS’s Executive Head, Mr Gerald Hilton said science and technology centre would focus on stem-based subject that would not only prepare students but give them a head start in the fourth Industrial revolution.

He said the school’s 100 percent pass rate for Primary and Cambridge examination over the last six years was a testimony of the school’s commitment of producing quality students.

Mr Hilton further explained that the state-of-the-art Computer Science Labs, Multimedia Centre and a markers space would include 3D printers and laser cutters.

“We believe in holistic approach where academic sport and culture is integral part of our student development,” he quipped.  

Meanwhile Gaborone North MP, Mr Mpho Balopi said he was impressed by GIS’s efforts especially that the school was contributing to the wellbeing of Batswana by empowering the students as the government could not do it alone.

He said it was pleasing to see investors come to Botswana not to make temporary structures and get the return on their investment within a short space of time and invest elsewhere. The legislator applauded GIS for having the future of the children and country at heart.

He said it was worthy to notice the contribution of GIS in developing the road leading to the school since there was congestion at pick hours.

Mr Balopi said a response to a knowledge based economy was something commendable.  

The nation had vision 2036 but at the same time there was global market demand, said the MP for Gaborone North noting that as a small country Botswana was not necessarily land locked, but land linked and it was important to develop and educate people and give them skills that could be accepted globally.

He said Botswana government had signed an agreement with German government through Verband Deutscher Maschhinen-Und Anlagenbaua, a German Association of Engineering Companies (VDMA) and Deutsche Gesellschaft Fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the two being German agencies responding to the electronic and knowledge-based courses.

Mr Balopi urged Mr Hilton to consult Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) for easier partnership with the Germans as they would connect him. ENDS