09 Apr 2024

 Heads of Missions have adopted Khuis Primary School in Tsabong District. 

The announcement was made by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Dr Athalia Molokomme to a thunderous applause from members of Khuis community after a tour of Lobu Small Stock Farm at Khuis on Monday. 

Botswana  envoys, Ambassadors and High Commissioners and representatives of the international organisations accredited to Botswana donated computers, and P10 000 for procurement of a printer in response to the needs identified at the school. 

“We are happy to adopt the school. It is such a wonderful school, such a wonderful community, we will be in touch with you,” she said. 

Dr Molokomme said when they met as Heads of Missions, Ambassadors and High Commissioners, they identified a community near the project they visited and made a donation on a voluntary basis. 

She added that though the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a need was identified and they were informed that the school needed photocopiers, a printer and computers, and so they requested for computers from Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority who would connect the computers in a few days. 

Ms Molokomme said the P10 000 was meant to purchase a printer that would ease the school administrative processes and enhance teaching and learning. 

“It is our intention to not only be associated with the diplomatic office that we operate in but to also be a beacon of compassion, commitment and support to all areas nationwide,” she said. 

Dr Molokomme highlighted that they met as ambassadors and representatives of Botswana annually to discuss how best they could represent the country better abroad and thus the touring of national projects such as Lobu farm and others gave them better understanding and strategies on how they could position them internationally. 

She noted that the Tsabong District was gradually developing and should be the centre of innovation, particularly in the area of livestock production. 

“We are very cognisant of the fact that as representatives of this country abroad, we should connect areas such as this one with the rest of the world not only for support or donations but also as a place where the rest of the world can come and learn about some of the things that you do so well as a community with the livestock production being the main one,” she said. 

Dr Molokomme highlighted that they were impressed by the technology that was being applied at the farm to enhance the quality of the breed. She implored learners to work hard and be alive to the fact that they lived in an era where there were boundless opportunities in the digital space. 

“Knowledge can be the basis for economic activity. Please study hard so that you can realise that; you can do that from your classroom using computers and the printer we have just donated to you,” she said. 

Khuis Primary School head teacher, Mr Lesheto Bareeleng said the school was established in 1936 and currently had 176 learners. 

He said the school had been performing well for the past five years since 2019, having achieved a quantity pass of 75 per cent and quality pass of 50 per cent in 2023, making it the best performing school in the cluster. 

Mr Bareeleng said they had a challenge of lack of photocopying machines, which could help them improve results.

Other challenges include  unreliable electricity and limited infrastructure.

He said there were no reception classrooms, adding that they were currently using a storeroom for teaching preschool pupils. 

Mr Bareeleng appreciated that the donated devices would enhance learning, as they were key to unlocking the potential within pupils. 

He said through the Heads of Missions’ support, they were equipped to provide learners with the necessary tools to thrive in an increasingly digital world. 

For her part, Kgalagadi regional director (Basic Education), Ms Maipelo Kesenye appreciated the donation and the adoption of Khuis Primary School. 

She said the resources would help improve the school’s performance, which  required  tightly-knit stakeholder involvement. She said such partnerships in education were pertinent to achieve better results. ends