14 Jul 2026

Every great institution begins as an idea. Ten years ago, Maitlamo Junior Secondary School was exactly that an idea and a promise to the Disana community.

That promise was to give young people not only an education, but an opportunity to discover their potential, build character, and prepare for life beyond the classroom.

The school opened its doors in May 2016 after community members raised concerns that children were traveling far for school and that Maun’s four existing junior schools were operating beyond capacity. Government responded to the plea and built the new facility.

On Friday, the state-of-the-art school celebrated a decade marked by dedication, growth and community spirit. The milestone highlighted not just buildings and classrooms, but the achievements of learners, the commitment of teachers and parents, and the support of stakeholders.

One of the school’s pioneers, former Principal Education Officer Mr Justice Baloyi, recalled that Maitlamo learners were initially housed at Sedie and Tsodilo junior schools while construction was underway.

Residents later unanimously named the school ‘Maitlamo’, vowing to work with teachers and the Parents Teachers Association to make it a model of quality results.

“By naming the school Maitlamo, parents vowed to join forces with the school management, PTA and other stakeholders, towards providing a conducive environment for teaching and learning hence the school is amongst the best in the country,” Mr Baloyi said.

Since 2016, Maitlamo has consistently topped other schools in the North West region in terms of academic performance.

Doctors Inn Private Hospital CEO Dr Maxwell Nhlatho, who addressed the celebrations, said the past 10 years proved the investment was worth it.

“Ten years of hope were worth it since we built a school and therefore, the next 10 years must build a legacy,” he said.  

Dr Nhlatho said the community invested believing that today’s classrooms would shape Botswana’s tomorrow. He challenged the school to look beyond grades.

“The true measure of a school is not the grades its learners achieve today, but the people they become tomorrow. What kind of people have we produced; are they responsible; do they solve problems and serve others? Do they leave Botswana better than they found it? To me, that is the true report card of a school,” he said.

He added that schools exist not merely to produce examination results, but to produce responsible citizens with knowledge, wisdom and integrity adding that knowledge without character could be dangerous.

Speaking to learners, Dr Nhlatho urged them to keep learning and growing. He also paid tribute to teachers, saying their rewards are often seen years later. 

 “A teacher plants seeds whose harvest they may never personally witness. That is why teaching is not merely an occupation but an act of faith hence we must value them because every profession begins in a classroom,” he said.

School Head, Ms Tuelo Morima said like any other school, Maitlamo faced challenges including vandalism and high learner numbers. To cope, some laboratories were converted into classrooms.

As Maitlamo enters its second decade, the focus shifts from building a school to building a legacy one learner, one teacher and one community partnership at a time.  ends