14 Nov 2024

Once a teacher always a teacher. This phrase resonates well with the former assistant minister of Basic Education, Mr Thato Kwerepe who is still upholding unto his mission of helping learners realise their hopes and dreams.

It is against this backdrop that Mr Kwerepe, a teacher by profession decided to forge partnerships to address challenges that might hinder children, especially those from  the Ngami region from enjoying the transformational power of education.

He said the economic status of many families in the region had contributed to poor academic performance.

“As an educator, this situation pushed me to forge partnerships with some sponsors and fortunately, the World Group of Companies chairperson heard my plea,” he said in an interview.

He said education was a fundamental right hence the need to safeguard children against any obstacles that might deny them their fundamental right to education.

“I was disturbed because lack of proper school uniform was dividing learners within the schools and it was affecting their academic performance,” he said.

He said through the partnership with the World Group of Companies dating back to 2014,  he started a donation drive of full school uniforms including a pair of shoes to each learner in all the primary schools in Gumare and Sehithwa extension areas.

He said the intention was to  preserve dignity and encourage learners attain good academic results.  Teachers, and members of the support staff from all the schools also receive blankets as motivation.

Mr Kwerepe has now extended his mission to the Maun area where he recently in collaboration with World Group of Companies donated schools shoes, bags, clothing, balls and some goodies to all learners in primary schools of Letsholathebe, Botswelelo and Andrew Wellio.

He explained that some children were orphans and cared for by their siblings and relatives  hence the need to support them.

“I believe in early childhood education as it is the basic foundation that every child should never miss,” he added.

Early childhood education, he said, focused on the critical developmental milestones, skills and concepts that children attain during the period of their lives.

As such, Mr Kwerepe appealed to all to invest in education and urged parents to support their children’s journey in education by fostering a positive learning environment at home. ENDS