Africa-Press – Botswana. Annual Kgatleng district academic excellence awards have been hailed as an important initiative to contribute positively to the improvement of school results.
Speaking during the award ceremony in Rasesa recently, Kgatleng Council chairperson, Mr Daniel Molokwe, said the ceremony highlighted a significant attainment of a milestone in the district’s quest towards the realization of quality education.
He said Kgatleng District has been underperforming academically especially at senior school level, hence he proposed to relevant stakeholders to help government in contributing towards the improvement of the school results hence such awards.
“School management, teachers and parents are key stakeholders towards the improvement of student results because education is an expensive commodity that cannot be left to government alone. The awards will motivate other students to perform better next time,” Mr Molokwe said.
He said the awards were in line with the country’s vision 2036 and the Sustainable Development Goal of providing education for all, and that the initiative will go a long way in ensuring that the education system produced graduates meeting International Labour and Entrepreneurial market standards.
He said the theme “Celebrating Academic Excellence, motivating the 21st century learner was befitting as it aligned to Botswana’s transformational agenda on digitalization of education delivery to the learner, as well accelerate government’s endeavor to transit from a resource to a knowledge led economy.
Kgatleng regional operations director, Mr Mothusi James, embraced council chairman’s awards saying the awards would provide an indispensable platform to motivate and inspire learners to outdo themselves academically.
He said low academic results in Kgatleng District for the past years had improved since the inception of the awards as the recent Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results saw the district getting position 3 nationally at an 80% quality pass while they got a 54.1% quality pass at Junior level and a 16.07% quality pass at senior level against the set 40% quality pass.
He however said though secondary schools were not performing well, it was worth noting excellence in terms of individual learner performance and as well acknowledge role played by council in ensuring adequacy and availability of infrastructure facilities in accordance with the set learning standards.
Mr James emphasised stakeholder collaboration in the education system citing that the three education arms being the teachers, students and parents must work together to build a wholesome and responsible student.
He commended the chairman for including best performing teacher award and the special education award to the best performing student.
“Teachers play a critical role in the education system and therefore awarding them was also a motivation for them to continue working hard to instill not only learning but discipline on them,” Mr James said.
Best performing student at senior school level, Ms Khatazile Nakedi, appreciated the input brought by council chairman in ensuring students excel academically.
Ms Nakedi said she worked hard despite unconducive environment of notorious students who were against success.
She encouraged students to work hard to realize and achieve their future goals by having a positive mindset in their academic work.
Consecutively for years Linchwe Junior obtained position one for best performing school in the district and were now keeping the trophy for good while the best performing school at primary level went to Khurutshe Primary.
Best performing students from primary level to senior school level were awarded certificates and a P1000 prize money.
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