13 Nov 2025

Statistics indicate that literacy level among primary schools is as low 37 per cent and the situation requires a community-based approach involving all stakeholders. 

This was said by renowned author and director of Thari e Ntsho Storytellers, Ms Bontekanye Botumile during a  donation of 360 educational books to Matlapana Primary School library in Maun  on Wednesday. 

The donation was courtesy of an international agency, World Expeditions Foundation, in collaboration with Lewis Safari and Thari e Ntsho organisation. Ms Botumile said the aim was to foster and improve children’s literacy as well as promote a culture of reading.

She said the poor reading culture was exacerbated by limited availability of books and illiteracy among some parents. By donating the books, she said the goal was to make reading a positive experience with hope that children would find it entertaining and inspiring.

"Children literacy is everybody’s concern and all stakeholders including parents and the community at large should be involved in improving and supporting children literacy skills as part of preparing future leaders,” she said.

Ms Botumile said all concerned stakeholders should come up with interventions to ensure availability of literature to make reading fun. She said Thari e Ntsho Storytellers started a reading and writing programme to support public schools in improving children’s literacy at community level.

The programme which started in 2018, aims to enhance reading and writing abilities among learners and eventually culminating into published anthology of stories written by the participants. Ms Botumile said the project also equipped participants with knowledge on the use of library.

The school head, Ms Kebatho Segolodi appreciated the donors for recognising the school, saying the books would indeed ignite a reading culture by increasing access to a variety of reading materials. Ms Segolodi said promoting a reading culture laid the foundation for learning. 

“We are very thankful for the donation as it will cultivate a love for reading and empower learners to unlock their full potential through education,” she said.

Senior teacher for languages, Ms Lydia Diane also thanked the donors for their commitment to supporting education and improving literacy in schools. Ms Diane said the books were more like a treasure as they could help ignite a passion for reading from a young age.

Ms Diane also challenged other schools to take advantage of the programme as it had the potential to turn things around in as far as school academic performance was concerned. ENDS