12 Jun 2023

Lebogang Junior Secondary School has become a force to reckon with, from a 39.7 per cent low pass rate in 2020 to an outstanding 61 per cent JC results in 2022.

Speaking during the school’s prize giving ceremony in Selebi Phikwe on Friday, the Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Beauty Manake commended the school for a job well done, urging them to continue aiming for higher marks.

She said the 61 per cent in the midst of COVID–19 pandemic was a significant achievement.

Ms Manake said obtaining position five in the Central Region and eight out of more than 207 government junior secondary schools nationally was a big achievement.

She said, now the school was faced by the challenge of achieving the 70 per cent pass rate target of 2023, adding that it would only be achieved with enormous and collective support from government, the community, and the town leadership.

Ms Manake said with all dedicated and committed staff members, parents, stakeholders, community members and pupils, the school could achieve the 70 per cent target.

She said Lebogang school’s success reflected the tripartite model in the education system being cooperation among pupils, parents and teachers. 

Ms Manake said the harmonious working relationship between the three pillars made Selebi Phikwe a centre of academic excellence.

She also urged Lebogang JSS pupils to stick to the school principle that stated, ‘position yourself and stay focused’. 

She said they must shan vices that would compromise their future.

The school head, Mr Stephen Timela said despite the improved performance, the school was faced with some challenges such as shortage of classrooms, dilapidated and shortage of staff houses as well as lack of staff promotions, among others.

Mr Timela said school and family partnerships led to school improvement and learners’ success, adding that they had inculcated a culture of frequent and positive school-to-home communication in the form of phone calls, WhatsApp groups, and home visits over and above termly progress reports.

For his part, MP for Selebi Phikwe West, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse said government had done a good thing by reducing VAT from sanitary pads, but now the problem was with some girls whose families still could not afford them. These girls will continue to suffer none the less.

Mr Keorapetse said the concern was that schools did not have money to buy sanitary towels and urged government to come up with a strategy to protect and give the girl child the dignity they deserved.

He said even though the schools in Selebi Phikwe were performing exceptionally well, accommodation shortage was a concern and that it was high time the Minister of Education visited schools to appreciate the challenges.

When giving a word of encouragement to other pupils, Lucy Ditoro, who got merit in her JCE results, urged fellow learners to stay focused on their education and maintain a high level of discipline.

She said, if you listen to and respect your teachers, you will do well in your studies. ends