18 Aug 2025

Government commits to offer quality education to every child despite geographical location, says Assistant Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Mr Justin Hunyepa.

Opening a two-day academic boot camp at Batanani Junior Secondary School on Friday, Mr Hunyepa said students in rural areas faced challenges of limited access to resources, infrastructure and fewer opportunities for professional coaching among others. He emphasised that programmes such as boot camps were important as they had the potential of bridging the gap and leveling the play field.

Mr Hunyepa said boot camps were designed to give learners an extra push towards excellence adding that they provided intensive revision, skills training and mentorship that could make the difference between an average and outstanding result. In addition, he said boot camps  aimed at building discipline, teamwork, resilience and creating values that would serve students outside school. 

“Education is not only about passing exams, it is about developing learners to participate in sports, arts, debates, scouts, girl guides, and other clubs,” he said, adding that such activities teach leadership, problem solving and service to the community.

Mr Hunyepa also indicated that success was not an accident but comes as a result of hard work, determination and the courage to try, fail and try again. He commended teachers for the being the backbone of the county’s education system, dedication and going an extra mile by mentoring learners. Batanani JSS School Head, Mr Teedzani Mkandla said the school has enrolled a total 391 students.

He said since 2020 to date the school has been experiencing a declining performance. The school managed 40.1 per cent quality pass (merit, A, B, C), followed by 50.3 per cent in 2021, dropping to 37.3 per cent and in 2022, followed by a further slump of 33.8 per cent in 2023. He said 2024 was equally challenging as the school registered quality pass of 38.5 per cent. ENDS