22 Jan 2023

 Mater Spei College and Francistown Senior Secondary School have received laptops to be used by both pupils and teachers. 

The Ministry of Education and Skills Development gave 1 954 laptops to Mater Spei pupils and 142 to teachers.

At Francistown Senior Secondary School (FSS) pupils received 1 674 laptops while 138 went to teachers.

Speaking at Francistown senior recently, the Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, urged teachers to fully utilise the devises for the benefit of pupils.

In addition, he explained that the laptops were a government property and should be handed over to the school upon completion of pupils’ studies.

Dr Letsholathebe said the gadgets were critical to the transformation of teaching and learning.

He stated that government was fully aware that internet connectivity in schools was a challenge. 

He cited North East region as a pioneer in the area of digitilisation, noting that the transformation would undoubtedly serve the teachers well in using the technology to create blended teaching and learning experience.

Dr Letsholathebe explained that the role of education in the growth and stability of the economy could not be overemphasised, particularly that the country aspired to transform from a resource based economy to a knowledge based one.

He said digitilisation should become the principal vehicle of learning by building a young generation of IT fluent teachers.

In order to transform teaching and learning, he said, the ministry had found it fit to prioritise digitilisation, curriculum review and the revitalisation of technology.

He explained that with digital skills and up to date relevant curriculum and vibrant training environment, learners would be able to seamlessly exit the formal education system and enter the world of work as competitive and productive entrepreneurs, innovators and workers.

He said the provision of laptops was a major step towards the realisation of government obligation to produce competent human resource as the country moved towards the attainment of Vision 2036, which is wholly supported by the Reset Agenda.

Dr Letsholathebe said human capital played a critical role in development of the economy as it would be helpful in driving growth across economic sectors.

“It is for this reason that my ministry has established relevant structures and developed policies and programmes that seek to drive this essential aspect of vision 2036,” he added.

In his remarks, Francistown mayor, Mr Godisang Radisigo, said many African countries lacked behind in digitilisation.

Mr Radisigo said COVID-19 had served as a wake-up call to the nation to expedite the availability of digital solutions to service delivery at every level including education and skills development.

He, however, said internet connectivity remained a problem in learning institutions as it affected research and provision of services. ENDS