07 Jul 2026

Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa has underscored the need for collaborative measures among various stakeholders towards addressing the different academic matters in schools.

Mr Mohwasa said this during a sponsored walk at Botshabelo Primary School in Selebi Phikwe, which aimed to raise funds for the school's 60^th anniversary celebration and the annual prize-giving ceremony.

He urged stakeholders to adopt a comprehensive initiative that will enhance the overall learning environment in schools, saying such a measure would significantly contribute to the desired educational progress.

He said an investment in education not only benefited individual learners but also strengthened the community, preparing future generations for the challenges ahead.

“Through partnerships and collective efforts, there is hope to create more conducive spaces for learning that support both students and educators alike,” he said.

He said while government was committed to providing quality education to learners and   making visible efforts to address infrastructure challenges and support vulnerable children, contributions from other stakeholders were equally important to complement government efforts.

Mr Mohwasa noted that partnerships between the government and the private sector were crucial, urging the need to adopt schools or classrooms as contributions to improving school infrastructure and creating a conducive learning environment.

He stated that education remained the country’s priority and an essential agent of national development and transformation. He there therefore stressed it was imperative for stakeholders to play a role in ensuring that every child had access to a conducive learning environment.

Following the sponsored walk, Mr Mohwasa later officiated at the donation  event of more than 300 pairs of school shoes to needy pupils from Botshabelo, Boitshoko, Boitumelo and Tlhabologo Primary Schools in Selebi Phikwe.

The donation, courtesy of Tebo ya Bokamoso Trust in collaboration with Botswana Bikers Week, aimed to bridge the gap for disadvantaged learners and ensure that no child was denied the opportunity to attend school with dignity due to their background.

Mr Mohwasa emphasised that the donation would not only restore confidence among learners but also motivate them to focus and excel in their academic pursuits. He commended Tebo ya Bokamoso Trust and Botswana Bikers Week for responding to the needs of vulnerable children with a practical solution.

Meanwhile, the school head of Botshabelo Primary School, Ms Naledi Ditsile, expressed appreciation for the gesture, which will benefit 42 students from her school. She noted that this initiative would positively enhance the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results. She said the 2025 PSLE results stood at 94.2 per cent.

At Boitshoko Primary School, 142 pupils benefited from the donation, and in appreciation, the school head Ms Mavis Molodi remarked that despite the social challenges faced by some families, particularly due to job losses following the closure of the BCL mine, the pupils were performing well.

Since 2021, the school has maintained an exceptional pass rate with figures of 91.55 per cent in 2021, 92.75 per cent in 2022 and 92.45 per cent in 2023.

Additionally, Tlhabologo and Boitumelo Primary Schools received 45 and 95 pairs of shoes, respectively. These schools have also performed well in the PSLE, with Tlhabologo achieving a pass rate of 86 per cent and Boitumelo attaining 100 per cent.

Chairperson of Botswana Bikers Week, Mr Benjamin Seema explained one of the organisation’s key initiatives: educating the public about the pervasive issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and substance abuse.

Mr Seema said that the issues not only harmed individuals but also had far-reaching consequences for society, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like young children, and highlighted the need for increased awareness and proactive measures to address the issues.ENDS