Africa-Press – Botswana. Vice President Mr Ndaba Gaolathe has called on school alumni across Botswana to plough back into the institutions that nurtured and shaped them.
Speaking at the Lesedi Primary School activation walk held in Gaborone on Saturday, Mr Gaolathe, himself an alumnus of the school, emphasised the critical role former students could play in reviving the standard of public schools. He therefore called on former students countrywide to build strong foundations laid in the past and helped preserve a legacy of academic and community excellence by giving back.
He said with schools having given those who went through their gates happy childhoods, it was only right that people recreated and replicated excellence in humanity by giving back to the institutions. Reflecting on his time at Lesedi Primary School, Mr Gaolathe recalled a childhood of contentment and community, even with modest means.
“Lesedi Primary School is where seeds of dreams were planted, dreams that shaped us, and in many ways, shaped the country to be what it is today,” Mr Gaolathe said. “We were fed dinawa and malutu, but those were some of the most fulfilling memories of life,” he added.
Mr Gaolathe praised the Lesedi Primary School alumni for taking the initiative in supporting their former school, stating, ‘Lesedi means the light, and that is what this school has been for so many of us’. He said back then, Lesedi Primary School was consistently in the top two both academically and in sport, adding it was time it regained that status. Mr Gaolathe appealed to other school alumni nationwide to embrace a sense of moral obligation by giving back to their former schools.
“Let us recreate those excellent memories for the new generation, adopt your former schools, and help however you can,” he urged.
Sharing pressing needs facing Lesedi primary, the school head, Mr Kuda Letsholo highlighted the lack of a secure perimeter wall, making it easy for intruders to access the premises. Mr Letsholo also mentioned a shortage of classrooms, teacher accommodation and essential learning tools such as computers and a functioning library.
“Right now, parents are having to buy chairs for their children to use in the school. This should not be the case in a public school,” said Mr Letsholo, stressing the urgency of alumni involvement.
Lesedi Primary School Alumni Association chairperson, Mr Ponty Paul said the activation walk marked the start of a series of events leading up to the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations scheduled for the end of November.
Gaborone South Member of Parliament, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana pledged a donated printer for use by schools within his constituency, further emphasising the collective responsibility of leaders and community members alike, through mentorship and donations.
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