Africa-Press – Botswana. President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi today officially open Machana Primary School. The school scored a 78 per cent pass rate in the 2022 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PLSE).
The southern region’s education director, Mr Accronews Maseko said they were proud of the school’s performance despite challenges it went through.
He added that they were humbled by the President’s decision to officially open the school, noting that the President’s schedule was tight but that he found it fit to share the joy with the people of Machana.
Mr Maseko said the primary school was the first to have a satellite status in the region followed by Bikwe Satellite Primary School.
Mr Maseko noted that the school grew by a class every year since 2018 until it was a fully-fledged school in 2022.
He noted that Machana was now a recognised settlement and attributed the status to President Masisi when he was Vice President. He added that the new status brought numerous developments into the area, noting that some people built houses to lease to teachers while some were selling their agricultural produce to the school.
He added that they were expecting attendance of the patron of the school, First Lady Neo Masisi, cabinet ministers, the district leadership, sponsors of the school and residents.
Machana Primary School head, Ms Mary Mbikiwa said a classroom block and porta cabins were made available by various sponsors.
Ms Mbikiwa e noted that pupils used to travel long distances to access education in Pitseng and that it impacted negatively on their performance.
She noted that the school started with a staff complement of seven teachers and 118 pupils and now boasts of 12 teachers and 234 learners.
Mr Thero Gare, a resident of Machana who runs a tuck said the school brought business opportunities and other developments in the area such as roads. He said their children now go to school without travelling long distances.
Ms Boitshepo Tlotlagano, also a resident of Machana, said teachers rented houses and villagers had a source of income.
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