04 Feb 2026

The United Nations’ Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s School In a Box kit holds much more than just school supplies. It represents hope and the right to education for children in rural communities and the low-income families.

For early childhood learning, the school in a box kit apart from learning continuity, also provides healing to children who have lived through times of trauma. The school in a box kit initiative according to UNICEF country representative to Botswana, Dr Komanzi Mothengi also brought about joy to the children as some develop new found excitement for school.

Speaking during the handing over of a donation to primary schools in Kgatleng District in Oodi on February 2, Dr Muthengi said following the flood that affected schools across the country last year, UNICEF found it fit to donate some school supplies to stimulate learning.

He said UNICEF learnt that thousands of families and 1 800 children were affected by the flood, preventing some learners from going to school since many communities in Kgatleng and other districts were affected.

The donation that included 78 boxes of early childhood leaning material, 50 boxes of stationery, 2 006 school bags and 46 boxes of recreational material targeted 20 000 learners across the country, and is part of UNICEF’s mandate : No Child is left Behind.

Since government prioritises Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Dr Muthengi said UNICEF had partnered with government to attain the education transformational process.

“We are committed to strengthening Botswana’s education by working with other partners to supplement these efforts,” he said.

Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Ms Nono Kgafela- Mokoka, acknowledged UNICEF’s impactful support in foundational learning, and that the donation would complement government’s interventions underway to strengthen STEM.

She commended the organisation for playing a part in education, stating that government’s partnership with UNICEF was critical in providing support to vulnerable children and bridging the education gaps.

Ms Kgafela- Mokoka assured partners that donation would be used transparently and in line with its intended purpose.

The ministry’s permanent secretary, Ms Mmamiki Kamanakao, said the timing was appropriate, when STEM driven education should be strengthened in accordance with the ambitions of the new administration.

She said the ministry had been tasked with ensuring that the learning environment was child friendly as the enrolment of foundational learning was increased.

 “It is worth mentioning that these materials are offered in live with government’s STEM curriculum for early childhood development,” he said.

Meanwhile Kgatleng East MP Mr Mabuse Pule, noted that the collaboration between UNICEF and government had yielded positive results in early childhood learning.

 “UNICEF has always been a strategic partner in providing expertise to education and improving learning outcomes. This donation will complement government interventions in hard to reach areas,” he said.

Mr Pule appealed to government to prioritise fixing dilapidated school infrastructure and learning resources. ENDS