28 Oct 2024

The new China funded Ramaeba Primary School in Kazungula affirms the bilateral relations between Botswana and China which are anchored on mutual understanding.  

Delivering a keynote address at the official handing over of the school on Sunday, Vice President Slumber Tsogwane, expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and its people, adding that the facility was no small act in support of education as a public good and a human right. 

He said the school answered the rapid growing population of Kazungula, which placed pressure on education. 

The P80 million state-of-art primary school will accommodate 480 learners with the first enrolment scheduled for January next year. It is equipped with 14 classrooms, administration block, canteen, library, 15 staff houses,  a football field and a basketball court.

The Vice President thus acknowledged that the school  would provide additional space for students who were initially travelling long distances to access education at Lesoma, Plateau, and Kasane primary schools. 

“Ramaeba is a symbol of progress, and commitment to ensure that every child in Kazungula has access to quality education within their immediate vicinity and a beacon of opportunity, a place where young minds will be shaped for the future of our nation,” Mr Tsogwane expressed. 

He remarked that Ramaeba school was tailor-made for a 21 century learner aligned to Vision 2036, which pronounced that every child must have access to basic education in a conducive environment. 

The Chinese Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Fan Yong, said the school was an investment in education and he believed it would positively impact local communities. 

Ambassador Fan said Botswana and China shared strong ties from a long-standing friendship solidified by mutual understanding.

 Furthermore, he said China shared aspirations with Africa in pursuit of modernisation to deepen mutual beneficial cooperation. 

He said the school aimed at reducing congestion in schools in Kazungula and surrounding areas to allow a balance between teacher-learner ratio. 

“This is a token of friendship of the two nations as Ramaeba is the fourth primary school in Botswana aided by the Chinese government and China promises to continue working with Botswana,” Mr Fan said. 

Speaking on behalf of Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, former Chobe  Member of  Parliament, Mr Machana Shamukuni stated that the development was a result of bilateral relations between Botswana and China. 

He said the construction project employed 723 Batswana, adding that the contractor, China State Construction Engineering, further trained Chobe District Council staff to carry out maintenance of the school facilities in future. 

He said following consultations, a  decision was reached to name the school in honour of the first Kgosi of Kazungula hence Ramaeba.

The name was approved by the council in February 2024. 

Kgosi Morgan Makhanga of Kazungula thanked government of China for funding construction of Ramaeba Primary School and the government of Botswana for partnering with China to invest in education. He said the new school would address the rapid growing population of Kazungula adding that there was room for future expansion as the school plot was vast. ends