20 Mar 2022

Chobe Holdings has donated two porta-cabins worth about P375 000 that now serve as classrooms for reception classes at Mathiba Memorial School in Maun.

Speaking during the handing over on Friday, Maun East Member of Parliament, Mr Goretetse Kekgonegile appreciated the partnership that started in 2018 through Chobe Holdings’ two sister companies of Ker and Downey Botswana and Dessert and Delta Safaris.

He said it was commendable that the school’s Primary School Leaving Examination results improved from around 52 per cent to 74 per cent last year.

Mr Kekgonegile said Parliament was considering a policy that would make it mandatory for the private sector to invest in corporate social responsibility.

He therefore appreciated Chobe Holdings’ role in developing education and appealed to other companies to do the same, noting that learners increased in population over time while resources were limited, hence the importance of partnerships with government.

Mr Kekgonegile also challenged parents to be actively involved in their children’s academic work for schools in Maun to excel.

Chobe Holdings managing director, Mr Lempheditse Odumetse said the two sister companies adopted Mathiba Memorial School to improve education.Mr Odumetse noted that about P500 000 had been spent through the partnership so far.

He said that an after school programme for standard sevens would be launched soon, to help improve their primary school leaving examinations results.

Mr Odumetse said that the companies also motivated teachers by rewarding them with a two night Safari excursions at some of their luxurious Safari destinations.Maun Sub Region Chief Education Officer, Mr Brown Sethapelo thanked Chobe Holdings for the partnership with Ministry of Basic Education.

Mr Sethapelo said that although reception classes were introduced in 2014 across government schools, it was only in 2019 that Mathiba Memorial School introduced them, after being adopted by the sister companies.
He said reception classes played a pivotal role in the foundation of learning.

Mathiba Memorial School head, Mr Noah Kebafitlhetse said that the adoption by the two companies benefitted the school immensely.Mr Kebafitlhetse said that the school had a total of 1 348 learners, 200 of whom were in standard one.
He said this year, the school was forced to accommodate a lesser number of 60 for reception classes due to lack of classrooms.ENDS