17 Feb 2014

For the past four consecutive years Orapa JSS has proved to be a centre of excellence toping all the junior schools in Junior Certificate Examinations results.

School head, Mr Joshua Nkarabang said in an interview that success could not be achieved over night, adding that it took commitment, discipline, team work and individual desire to achieve.

Despite being at the top for the past four years, Mr Nkarabang said there was more to aim for as the school was yet to achieve the desired 100 per cent quantitative pass rate.  

He, however, applauded the school management, teachers and non-teaching staff, students and parents for working together towards the continued outstanding results and being at the top. Mr Nkarabang stated that the school believed in setting goals and targets.

In 2010, Orapa JSS came first with a 98.4 per cent overall pass, followed by 98.4 per cent in 2011. As for 2012, the school registered 99.4 per cent followed by recent 99.3 per cent of 2013 showing a slight deficit of 0.1 per cent.

Mr Nkarabang, however, said the school was working hard to achieve better quality pass (merit, A and B) indicating that in 2010 it was 64.3 per cent and slightly increased to 67.5 the following year.

He said in 2012, the quality pass was at a low of 41.3 per cent adding that the 2013 results which are currently under review had received the lowest of 37.2 per cent. He said as for 2014, the school targeted an overall pass of 100 per cent with quality at 50 per cent and quantity pass at 90 per cent.

Mr Nkarabang said the secret behind their success was that the students and teachers were motivated to continue achieving more adding that strict supervision and order reigned supreme in the school.

Mr Nkarabang admitted that being situated in a mining town played a vital role in their performance. He stated that Orapa junior had three specialist teachers in key subjects of English, Mathematics and Science courtesy of Debswana Mine.

He explained that specialist teachers attended to areas where students encountered challenges. He added that this service was extended to other junior schools in Letlhakane being Motsumi and Ditsweletse last year.   Debswana also assisted the school with transport whenever there was a need to travel outside the mining town, he said.

Furthermore he extended his gratitude to the parents, stating that of all the seven schools he hadbeen to as school head, he has never before experienced a situation where parents are fully committed towards their children’s education like it is the case with Orapa JSS. Mr Nkarabang stated that their support in fundraising is also pleasing. He said with the support of parents, the school is able to raise funds for minor projects in the school.

Despite the success, Mr Nkarabang said like any other government institution, Orapa JSS was faced with challenges among them shortage of accommodation for teachers.   He said the school has 54 teachers and 19 non-teaching staff and only 29 houses adding that some of the school employees have been provided with accommodation by Debswana.

He added that despite all the challenges the school continues to strive for excellence in both academics and extra curriculum activities. The school head also stated that they are doing exceptionally well in sports, as in the past competitions, they managed to have to have representation at the national schools finals and even the junior national teams. 

He said one of their athletes, Gorata Gabankitse, a form two student who hails from Xhumo village recently won a medal and the junior championships held at Czech Republic.

Mr Nkarabang further attributed motivation as the only secret key to their success. “Motivation is like a fire, if someone tries to light it under your feet, chances are that it will only glow for a while and die but when it is instilled within you, it will be sustained, it becomes a part of you and burns for eternity,” he said. Ends