Africa-Press – Botswana. Learners in Maun have been advised to take mathematics and science subjects seriously and to ignore misconceptions that the subjects are difficult.
G4S Consultancy Engineering Company managing director, Mr Botsile Gubago urged learners on Tuesday during Maun Mathematics and Science Fair 2023 themed Mathematics and Science beyond COVID-19, which attracted junior schools in Maun.
G4S Company injected P44 000 as price money while learners competed in science and mathematics projects, quiz and solving problems exercise and the winners walked away with P1500 each.
Mr Gubago said the subjects could take them places and improve their lives provided they worked hard.
The country, he said, aspired to become a knowledge based economy adding that could be achieved if learners worked hard to become scientists, engineers, leaders in other science related professions.
“Knowledge based economy and the 4th industrial revolution are driven by mathematics and science and to realise them, you need to improve your results and participate in the economy,” he added.
Mr Gubago promised that G4s Company would continue to invest in mathematics and science fairs because the event brought results to individuals, benefitted the country and excitement to aspiring innovators.
The fairs, he said, increased learners interest and in turn improved uptake of the subjects.
He said learners were talented while teachers had the responsibility to nurture and improve what God had given to learners.
He described mathematics and science fair as a vehicle into the future citing that all innovators were happy due to technology usage.
“I challenge you to work hard, read and expand your knowledge as that will open new opportunities for you,” he added.
Mr Gubago also gave credit to mathematics and science teachers for organising the fair and encouraged them to improve it by including all junior schools in Ngamiland region and to get other commercial entities on board to ensure quality and growth of the fair.
Tshwaragano Junior Secondary School head, Ms Lynette Setumo said they organised the fair because learners were not performing well in the two subjects since COVID-19.
She said they used to hold fairs as a region to prepare pupils for examinations.
She noted that the fair had been revived post COVID-19 era and believed that the event would motivate learners to increase uptake of the subjects.
“We are hopeful that some will reset their minds and develop interest in studying the subjects,” she added.
Maun mathematics and science chairperson, Mr Onneile Morwe said they used to hold fairs up to the national level but COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their efforts.
He thanked the main sponsor of the fair, G4S Company and other commercial entities such as Barmico among others for coming to their rescue this year saying the event ignited spark among learners.
He said many pupils had shown interest to be part of the mathematics and science team.
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