Africa-Press – Botswana. Macmillan Education Botswana has donated books worth P2.5 million to 43 Botswana Prison Service centres across the country to contribute towards reading as a powerful tool for personal development and growth of prisoners.
The donation comprised of literacy material and textbooks for primary, junior certificate and Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE), as well as fiction and non-fiction books.
Receiving the donation in Gaborone yesterday, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Nelson Ramaotwana expressed delight that the donation came at a time when Botswana Prison Service was venturing into a transformational journey of being a Correctional Service.
He said the books would emphasise more on correcting the offenders by addressing the criminogenic tendencies that had driven them to commit crime.
“Books are not merely collections of words, they are doorways to new worlds, windows into our imaginations and tools for empowerment.
In a world where information is paramount, the ability to read and comprehend is a fundamental skill that unlocks countless opportunities,” he said.
Mr Ramaotwana said literacy and access to knowledge had a profound impact on the lives of communities and the future, adding that reading also expanded one’s knowledge and perspective through literature. The minister also noted that the books would reduce idleness, which could distract the prison service’s determination to empower offenders for the betterment of their lives by maximising offenders’ engagement in literacy and mind occupation.
He noted that once the inmates got engrossed in the books, they would not have the luxury of time to think of negative things that did not assist in their rehabilitation.
Minister Ramaotwana said the donation would also encourage other corporate organisations and individuals to share their resources.
“I have also learnt that the donation is a precursor to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Macmillan Botswana and Botswana Prison Service, expressing hope that the partnership would be to the mutual benefit of the two institutions and ultimately to the nation,” he noted.
Mr Ramaotwana implored Botswana Prison Service to jealously protect the integrity of the books by effecting strict control measures for their preservation. He also expressed gratitude to Macmillan for its commitment to fostering a love of reading and learning in the community.
“You’ve not only donated books, but you’ve shared hope, inspiration and the potential for brighter futures. Your support exemplifies what can be accomplished when we work together for the common good,” said the minister.
“May these books inspire curiosity, creativity and a lifelong love for learning. Let us create, in the offenders and ourselves, a community that values education and makes it accessible to everyone,” he said.
Giving an overview of the initiative, Macmillan Education Botswana general manager, Mr Kopano Sechele said access to books should not be a privilege, but a right. “Reading programmes should be integrated into broader rehabilitation efforts communication if we really want to empower Batswana,” he said.
He also called for establishment and expansion of library programmes within correctional facilities to ensure inmates had access to a diverse range of books that catered to their individual needs and interests.
Beyond this donation, Mr Sechele said their company would also reward top achievers in Primary School Leaving Examinations, Junior Certificate of Education and BGCSE for two years, following an agreement with the relevant ministry management.The Assistant Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Augustine Nyatanga, Botswana Prison Service commissioner, Mr Anthony Mokento and Macmillan Education Southern Africa managing director, Mr Brett Basel, also graced the donation ceremony.
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