27 Mar 2022

Recognising and rewarding outstanding performance in schools is important, as it encourages and motivates both learners and teachers to continuously aspire for excellence.

Mahalapye West MP, Mr David Tshere said this on Friday in Mahalapye during the MP’s School Performance Improvement and Motivational Rewards System awards dinner that was organised to recognise and congratulate awardees for their excellent performance in the 2021 final examinations.

Following the unimpressive academic performance of schools in his constituency, Mr Tshere said he decided to meet with Chief Education Officer, Ms Ceciliah Sunday and share with her the idea of a three-year school performance improvement and motivational reward system that he intended to create to help motivate pupils and teachers to improve the school results.

After this meeting, he said he embarked on a visit to all schools in his constituency and shared his initiative with schools’ leadership and learners to seek their input around the idea.

“Education can help propel you forward, as it has proven that it can change someone’s life for the best. So, let us all work together to bring back the element of competition in schools, as it brings motivation and good performance,” he said.

For her part, Ms Sunday stated  that the journey for the MP’s reward system started in 2019, after Mr Tshere expressed concern about poor academic performance of schools in his constituency.

“Before MP Tshere’s visit to my office, he first called me to appoint and he sounded very frustrated and worried about poor academic performance of schools in his constituency and he said he wanted to something to help boost morale in schools for performance improvement,” she added.

After meeting with the MP, Ms Sunday said she accompanied the legislator in his visit to schools to motivate pupils and teachers and sought their input before crafting the rewards menu. She said a target of 90 per cent was set as a selection criteria for the reward system.

The awards were divided into three categories, being the primary school, junior secondary school and senior secondary school.

Under the Primary School category, the Best Overall School award of a floating trophy and recreation for all staff was scooped by Tshikinyega Primary School which scored 90.1 per cent, Overall Best Student award of a certificate and P1000 cash was scooped by Deborah Thomas from Tamocha Primary School, Overall Best Teacher award of a certificate and laptop was scooped by Ms Lillian Ramaeba who scored 93.8 per cent. Most Improved School award of a certificate and P1000 cash went to St. James Primary School with a performance improvement of 27 per cent, which is above the 10 per cent target that was set.

For Junior Secondary School category, Overall Best Student award of a certificate and laptop was scooped by Osupile Amantle, Overall Best Teacher in Optional subjects award of a certificate and P1500 cash was scooped by Mr Odirile Bakokonyane who scored 100 per cent, whilst Overall Best Teacher in Science award of a certificate and P1500 was scooped by Mr Taolo Mase with 61 per cent.

Most Improved School award of a certificate and P1000 cash went to Mowana Junior Secondary School with a performance improvement of 10.69 per cent above the 10 per cent target.

Under the Senior Secondary School category which featured only Madiba Secondary School learners; the Best Overall Student award of a certificate and laptop was scooped by Katlo Kose of Madiba Senior Secondary School with 48 points, Overall Best Student in Triple Sciences award of a certificate and P1000 cash was scooped by Kereng Calvin with 3A*, Overall Best Student in Double Sciences award of a certificate and P1000 cash was scooped by Masa Raditlatla with an A*.

Additionally, the Overall Best Student in Mathematics award of a certificate and P1000 went to Verona Phetogo with an A*, Overall Best Teacher in Optional Subjects award of certificate and P1500 went to Ms Emma Mmileng who scored 100 per cent, Overall Best Teacher in Mathematics award of a certificate and P1500 cash went to Mr Biki Otukile who scored 97.06 per cent, whilst Overall Best Teacher in Triple Science award of certificate and P1500 cash went to Ms Sentle Serite who scored 100 per cent.

The awards ceremony was graced by Mahalapye deputy chief, Kgosi Tshipe Tshipe, Mahalapye Sub-district acting deputy district commissioner, Mr Bakani Mathumo, Sub-council senior assistant council secretary, Ms Gomolemo Moepeng and Mahalapye North councillor, Ms Julia Miranda. ENDS