26 Sep 2022

Students have been encouraged to identify their passion or what they were good at and pursue them.

Speaking at the national IDM-Botswana Social Studies Association (BOSSA) virtual fair prize giving ceremony in Palapye on Friday, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education and Skills Development, Ms Lois Ngope urged students to also use their technology skills to research and gather information.

Ms Ngope lauded the BOSSA leadership and social studies teachers across the country for the academic fair. 

She said it was not only a great opportunity to engage learners academically, but was also critical to their social development. 

She added that such fairs offered an alternative path and commended BOSSA and IDM for making it happen.

 Ms Ngope encouraged students to have the strength to choose paths that added value to them and those around them.

 She said “when distractions start pulling you in directions that are not aligned to your future, you have the strength to say no”.

She said there were many distractions out there, adding that stress, anxiety and depression were common among the youth, making it easy to lose focus and engage in unproductive activities.

DM Assistant Director (learners support services), Ms Bernadette Peto said the initiative prepared young people for a life in a democratic society within a global context. 

She also said they were hopeful to build and produce future leaders, from the winners of the different categories. 

She added that BOSSA and IDM had further provided a meaningful platform for young people to excel in their studies, through activities such as debates, quizzes, models charts, essay writing and written projects.

 Ms Peto thus encouraged all schools to reflect on the platform and use it as a stepping stone to build young people.

 She also applauded all teachers, who tirelessly supported students to partake in the fair, which she said was also a window through which they can showcase their capability and creativity in developing and producing fine minds and talents. 

Ms Peto congratulated the winners in all categories, encouraging those who did not win to put more effort next time. 

For her part, Mabogo JSS, deputy school head, Ms Mavis Good thanked BOSSA for hosting the national event at their school, saying it had put them on the map. 

Ms Good said Mabogo JSS was struggling to improve its performance hence, the need for support. 

She thus requested IDM to adopt her school, as such a partnership could help them address some of their challenges. BOPA