Africa-Press – Botswana. Save Wildlife Conservation has been commended for its continuous efforts towards creating a conducive environment that promotes learning.
The organisation renovated Tsanokona playgroup facility to the tune off P30 000 through its Early Childhood Development Programme (ECDP) aimed to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation among children aged 3-5 years of age and to teach them about the value of their environment.
The facility comprised of a classroom with learning resources and other requisites.
Speaking during the official opening of Tsanokona playgroup facility on Friday, Thito Primary School deputy school head, Ms Teresinah Qhookwe hailed Save Wildlife for aiding government towards creating a better learning environment among young children far from services.
Equitable access to learning opportunities, she said, was key to ensuring that every child is prepared for life, citing that the facility was important for child development because it provided a foundation for future learning.
“Children’s character development begins at a young age and this facility will help improve children’s confidence, enhance critical thinking and build a strong foundation for learning,” she added.
Ms Qhookwe urged parents to take playgroup initiative seriously as it helped children develop essential life skills, attitudes and prepared them for formal school education.
Research, she said, had shown that early childhood education is a good start for learning and pupils who passed through the programme would continue to do well in later stages of schooling which could lead to better outcomes.
She also acknowledged that the playgroup would close the gap in access to education because some parents were reluctant to bring their children for reception classes at primary schools because of the distance travelled by children.
Thito Village Development Committee chairperson, Ms Hildah Sethaile, admitted that children travelled long distance to access education and thanked the area councillor, Mr Morolong Mosimanyana for engaging Save Wildlife leadership who came to their rescue.
Early education, she said, was important as it provided best opportunities to learn and develop independence as well as supports transition to formal school. She urged parents to support the facility although water shortage was a serious challenge in the area.
Ms Sethaile thanked Save Wildlife for creating a space that promoted learning and promised them that they would take care of the facility to ensure it produces expected results.
An elder, Mr Thapelo Mothupi, appealed to the government to consider establishing a school in their area noting that children were travelling 20km daily to access education.
He was worried that children travelled long distance in an area infested with dangerous animals such as elephants.
He said the distance affected pupils performance as they arrived late, tired at school while during harsh conditions such as rainy season, some missed classes.
For her part, environmental education officer from Save Wildlife, Ms Christina Tlhabano, said the organization was committed to creating an environment that was conducive to learning.
In Botswana, the organisation had already established 38 active playgroups in North West, Okavango, Boteti and Central districts.
She said they managed that through ECDP which aimed to catch them young and also promotes education in wildlife areas and their surroundings.
Through the programme, she said, they instil in children a love for nature and understanding the importance of protecting wildlife noting that the playgroup does not only benefit children but teachers also find it easier and more enjoyable to teach children who are focused on their lessons.
Ms Tlhabano said the programme provided training and support for teachers, helping them provide safe, stimulating and nurturing early learning environments for children.
She thanked some businesses operating in Tsanakona for joining forces with them to make the project a success.
Mr ßMosimanyana, thanked all who contributed towards the completion of the project. He urged parents to join hands with teachers to ensure the children succeed.
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