23 Jul 2026

The rhythmic sound of drills, hammers and cheerful conversations filled the corridors of Maoka Junior Secondary School (JSS), as old worn-out doors were carefully removed and replaced with new ones.

For many, it was simply another maintenance exercise.

But, for Maoka JSS school head, Ms Balopi Bagwasi, it symbolised something much greater, a renewed commitment to providing every learner with a safe, secure and dignified learning environment.

Maoka JSS, together with Gaborone Senior Secondary School in Gaborone, are among the first 20 public schools across Botswana selected to benefit from the recently kicked off Education Infrastructure Management Company’s (EIMC) Ke Abela Sekolo Campaign.

The campaign, has received a boost of P950,000 donation from the First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB) Foundation is EIMC flagship initiative supported by the private sector to restore and maintain school infrastructure.

In interview of the sidelines of installation of new doors at the school by Kebo Holdings’ artisans, Ms Bagwasi thanked government, through the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, for spearheading an initiative that was transforming schools and restoring hope to learners and educators alike.

She said the school community was delighted to be among the first beneficiaries of the campaign, describing it as a demonstration that government remained committed to creating conducive learning environments where children could thrive.

“We are so delighted that the FNBB Foundation has partnered with EIMC to come and donate 14 new doors and carry out a spring-cleaning exercise at our school,” she said.

The 14 doors, she said included double doors, which were immediately installed to replace the various dilapidated ones around the school classrooms, such as at the science laboratories and storerooms.

As artisans fitted the doors, Ms Bagwasi explained that the old ones had deteriorated to the point of becoming a danger to learners and staff.

“We had fallen and damaged doors that had become very dangerous to our students. Some of the doors are being installed in the laboratory, where the safety of chemicals had been compromised because the doors could no longer provide adequate security,” she said.

She also added that other doors were fitted in the library, storerooms and other key facilities where books, equipment and learning materials were kept.

Although the school had recently undergone maintenance that included repairs to the windows, she said the replacement of the damaged doors was equally important in safeguarding school property and improving the overall learning environment.

Beyond the physical improvements, Ms Bagwasi said the campaign had inspired a renewed sense of ownership and responsibility among the school community.

She thanked the FNBB staff that conducted an extensive spring-cleaning exercise, leaving classrooms, offices and school grounds spotless.

For Ms Bagwasi, the clean-up exercise carried an important lesson for learners.

“As cleanliness is next to Godliness, we want our learners to come back after the school holidays to a clean and welcoming environment. More importantly, we want them to appreciate the importance of maintaining that cleanliness and taking pride in their school,” she said.

She further said a clean and well-maintained school did not only create a pleasant atmosphere, but also encouraged learners to respect public property and focus on their studies.

The improvements, she said came as the school continued to build on an impressive academic record.

Despite infrastructure challenges over the years, Ms Bagwasi said the school had consistently met the national academic performance target for the past decade.

“For the past 10 years, our school has consistently achieved the national target of at least a 50 per cent pass rate. We have never fallen below that benchmark,” she added.

She attributed the school’s success to the unwavering commitment of teachers, learners, parents and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), whose collaborative efforts had steadily improved academic performance.

“Our teachers, learners and parents have worked together with determination and today, we are proud to have reached a 70 per cent pass rate,” she said.

However, Ms Bagwasi believed that the school’s journey was only just beginning.

She said Maoka JSS had developed an ambitious vision for the next five years.

“Our aspiration is to become one of the top five junior secondary schools in Botswana.Ultimately, we want to be recognised as the best school in the country and we believe that providing learners with a safe, secure and conducive environment is an important step towards achieving that goal,” she said.

As the final doors were secured into place and the FNBB staff completed the day’s clean-up activities, the transformation at the school reflected the broader vision behind the Ke Abela Sekolo Campaign.

The initiative is not merely replacing doors or refurbishing ageing infrastructure. It is restoring dignity to public schools, strengthening partnerships between government and the private sector and reaffirming a shared national commitment to ensuring that every child learns in an environment that is safe, welcoming and conducive to academic excellence.

For Ms Bagwasi, the newly installed doors represent more than timber and steel.

She said they also opened the way to safer classrooms, protected learning resources and brighter opportunities for generations of learners who would pass through the gates of Maoka JSS in the future. ENDS