06 Nov 2023

Education is a key element in all sectors of the economy, agriculture included, Minister of Agriculture, Mr Fidelis Molao has said .

Officially opening Out of School Education Training (OSET) facility in Shashemooke Friday, Minister Molao said being able to read and write would assist those who were interested in artificial insemination short courses as such courses required reading and writing ability.

He added that day to day lifestyle activities including checking expiry dates on medication required academic literacy hence the importance of OSET programmes.

Mr Molao, who is also the Member of Parliament for Shashe West constituency, further highlighted that to manage livestock, farmers should keep records of all activities taking place in their farms and they could only keep such records when they have academic foundation.

He advised OSET participants to develop their skills and build  reputable companies so that they could get funding to expand and also have legal standards of operation.

He said the OSET programme was not for the elderly only but for everyone interested in acquiring knowledge.

Mr Molao underscored the importance of mindset change as a key factor that could help people view education in a better light which would in turn help the country to achieve a knowledge based economy.

Earlier on when giving an overview of the project Chief Education Officer, Tonota Sub-region, Ms Wananani Gunda appreciated all stakeholders who took part in making sure the project was a success.

She noted that as part of its corporate social responsibility, Tati Nickel mine contributed P113 000 towards the project while Village Development Committee donated land for the project.

She said even though there was shortage of resources for the project, through partnership with the University of Botswana the project became a success.

Ms Gunda further said the university assisted with fitting the classrooms while Francistown Knitters donated two sewing machines, an overlocking machine  and even provided sewing lessons to students.

This, she said,  showed that the project was not a one man’s show but combined efforts of different stakeholders.

Furthermore she said as the project expanded it would not only benefit Shashemooke residents but the country at large.

University of Botswana’s Professor Wapula Raditloaneng said OSET project resonated well with the national, regional and global agenda of upskilling for a transformed approach to poverty eradication. She added the concept of learning throughout life was the key that gave access to the 21st century lifestyle and further said this emphasised the pillar of human and social development embedded in Botswana’s vision 2036 goals.

Ms Raditloaneng said the programmes produced well rounded characters who were confident, functionally literate, seasoned and active contributors in their workplaces.

Appreciating the project, the Director of Education, Central Regional Operations, Mr Sonny Mooketsi said this was one of the greatest milestones in enhancing life long education.

Mr Mooketsi said the training centre would empower more people with various skills and would be a source of income for residents.

Mr Mooketsi said achieving lifelong learning through stakeholder’s engagement and mindset change opened new opportunities. ENDS