Africa-Press – Botswana. Sekgoma Primary School learners in Maun received an early Christmas from Botswana Housing Corporation (BHC) who injected over P130 000 towards the refurbishment of the schools’ computer laboratory as well as equipping it with five computers.
Already, the school is connected to high speed internet.
The corporation also donated a printer, all being part of its corporate social responsibility and the motive being to facilitate e-education.
Speaking during the handover of the project, BHC acting chief executive officer, Mr Nkaelang Matenge said the donation was a symbol of a commitment to education and dedication to equipping learners with the best tools they needed to succeed.
As a corporation mandated to provide housing needs of the nation, he said, it was also their duty to ensure they lent a helping hand where possible hence they donated resources that would enhance learning and teaching experience.
Mr Matenge said the world was increasingly reliant on technology and access to up-to-date equipment and software would help learners excel in their studies, conduct research, and develop digital skills essential in today’s workforce.
“This is a testament to our dedication and indeed that of the government to fostering a learning environment that empowers our leaners with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age,” said Mr Matenge.
He said the computer lab would not only benefit the current learners but would also serve as a valuable resource for the wider community. Mr Matenge urged staff to ensure that the lab was used to its full potential and maintained for the benefit of generations to come.
With the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution, he said, the donation had to be well suited for the current era.
He said it was imperative that the education system adapted to the changing landscape and equipped learners with the necessary skills, to enable them to tackle current and future challenges.
“We believe that by responding to this call we are in support of the government’s digital transformation strategy that supports the goal of transforming Botswana from an upper-middle-income country to high-income status by 2036. Botswana is aiming to establish itself as a knowledge-based economy and this is to be achieved through innovation, research and development capability, knowledge channels and development activities,” he added.
Mr Matenge said there was need for investment in proper ICT resources to attain the country’s aspiration citing that their donation was in line with the strategy.
Chief education officer, Mr Brown Sethapelo thanked BHC, noting that the donation would go a long way in developing digital skills among learners and teachers and eventually improve learning and teaching.
The donation, he said was a turning point for the school and called on the corporation to consider adopting the school saying it was performing well academically.
By so doing, he said, teachers and learners would be motivated to do more and become the best school in the region. The school head, Ms Khutsafalo Molato also appreciated the donation.
She said the corporation rescued the situation because the lab was in a bad state with a dilapidated ceiling and doors that were falling due to termites.
For his part, Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando praised the corporation for addressing the school’s ICT needs.
He said his office was making efforts to construct computer labs in primary schools through Community Constituency Fund (CCP), adding that construction was ongoing at Botswelelo School.
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