29 Mar 2023

Notwithstanding sporadic availability of internet at Mater Spei College and Francistown Senior Secondary School (FSS), efforts to modernise learning through use of laptops have gone on well. 

A total of 3707 laptops -1 954 to Mater Spei and 1 753 to FSS have been distributed to learners. In addition Mater Spei received 120 laptops for teachers while got 143. 

City of Francistown mayor, Mr Godisang Radisigo said this when during a virtual briefing to the Council on Monday. 

He said inconsistent internet remained a hindrance to smooth learning and council was in consultations with service providers with a view to having reliable internet. 

“In terms of academic performance, we continues to impress, with the region having attained position one in Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and Botswana General Certificate in Secondary Education (BGSCE) whilst Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) we got position two,” said he said. 

Mr Radisigo added the region was able to identify issues that led to a decline in junior secondary schools’ performance and had worked on those. 

“I urged the leadership to visit junior schools and provide motivational support. It is worth noting that Francistown Senior Secondary School made a significant improvement to position five nationally. It is indeed a performance that we embrace and celebrate.” 

He said, adding the leadership should continue providing such support. Mr Radisigo said the project to erect porta cabins, which commenced at Montsamaisa, Goldmine, Setlalekgosi and Donga junior secondary schools was delayed after the contractor abandoned project. 

The process to engage another contractor had started, he said. Inspections of day care centres for license renewal for the year 2023 was ongoing, with a total of 28 schools already inspected. 

Eleven of the day care centres met the minimum requirements while the morning had been advised to rectify shortcomings identified during inspection. 

Mr Radisigo said council was currently running economic empowerment trainings for 27 trainees in dressmaking and upholstery at Leseding, Somerset and Gerald Estates. 

The trainings started January 23 eand would end July 23, he said. 

He added council continued to provide social safety nets monthly to a total of 1 268 registered beneficiaries comprising of 462 permanent destitute persons, 55 temporary destitute persons, 263 needy students, 46 children in need of care, 18 home based Care patients and 424 orphans. Ends