19 Jun 2023

Parents have been urged to support teachers in moulding children to be become good citizens and better leaders of tomorrow.

The Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Aubrey Lesaso said this at Tewane Primary School recently during the awarding of certificates to students who performed well academically. Mr Lesaso said, ‘lore lo ojwa lo sale metsi,” hence the need for parents to stand up and guide the youth.

He said Tewane Primary School academic results had shown a significant improvement from 62.5 per cent during 2021 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) to 83.3 per cent during the 2022 results.

He said he was hopeful that at the end of the year, they would attain a 100 per cent pass rate.

Mr Lesaso commended the Mahalapye West legislator, Mr David Tshere, and his team for coming up with an initiative to reward students who performed well and teachers for improved school performance results.

Students and teachers who performed well from various schools in Mahalapye West benefitted from the initiative starting last year.

Mr Lesaso said poor academic results had been a concern not only in Mahalapye District but across the country hence the introduction of such initiatives were most welcome by the ministry. He also pointed out that students had also become rowdy and that had been a concern to parents.

Mr Lesaso said his ministry had embarked on an outcome-based education for children to be equipped with skills, competencies and ethics to prepare them for the working environment. He stated that they had also started digitalization and language policy, as a way of closing gaps that could be obstructing children from excelling academically.

Mr Lesaso said the government needed all stakeholders in education to come on board in laying a good foundation for the children, managing the country and improving citizens’ living conditions. He said it was important for individuals to leave a good legacy for future generations as the 2023 teachers’ day commemoration theme, “teach today and touch lives forever” has said.

For his part, Mr Tshere said children were needed in communities hence the nation was obliged to help them grow so that they could hold good work positions in future.

A representative of sponsors, Mr Tefo Bobi encouraged Batswana to undertake initiatives geared towards helping the youth. He noted that it was their responsibility to help the government in ensuring that children got proper education.

He encouraged children to partake in molding their future by working hard so that they could reach their intended goals.

He said bad behavior reported in schools needed God’s intervention as he was only one who had the power to change any circumstance. He said he was happy that even teachers were also recognized.

Overall best student from senior and junior schools received P1 000 cash and a laptop. Each best students in science and mathematics was given a certificate and P1 000 cash as well.

Teachers received P1 500 cash and a certificate and the most improved school which was Tewane Primary School got a certificate and P1 000 cash.

Six students from both primary, junior and senior schools and seven teachers were rewarded. Ends