23 Oct 2022

The private sector’s contribution in resourcing the education sector helps to meet the needs of all learners regardless of their educational abilities, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane has said.

He was speaking during the handing over of the Debswana financed P5.2 million special education classroom block at Tsienyane Primary School in Rakops on Saturday.

 Mr Tsogwane said government was financially constrained to provide the much-needed learning tools across the educational sector and therefore welcomed private sector assistance.

“Efforts such as these where the private sector invests in projects that have a human face should be commended. It is a clear demonstration that if many private companies are to support government in the same measure and magnitude, a lot will be achieved in the provision of resources to facilitate learning,” he said.The block comprises three fully equipped classrooms and a workshop.Mr Tsogwane said despite infrastructure development challenges,  strides had been made in improving the learning environment across the country.

The Vice President stated that government was committed to supporting the learning of young people as they were Botswana’s future leaders.

Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines general manager Mr Mogakolodi Maoketsa said the investment was in line with Debswana’s building forever strategy under the pillar: Standing with women, girls and people living with disabilities.

The aim was empowerment of  marginalised members of the community, he explained.

Another speaker, Debswana managing director Mr Andrew Motsomi said the project was a demonstration of good cooperation between his company and the Rakops community.

The school head Ms Thokozile Tayane explained that the special education department admitted learners from Rakops, Xhumo and Toromoja.

Enrolment currently stood at 25 boys and 13 girls, she said.

  Ms Tayane stated that the aim was to enable children to be independent when they completed school. ENDS