04 Feb 2025

A donation of an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) laboratory to Etsha 6 Primary School in the Okavango District is hoped to help improve the school’s academic performance.

The ICT laboratory which - was furnished with 40 tablets, internet connection and a smart board worth about P2 495 134 - was funded by the Universal Access and Service Fund.

Speaking when handing over the ICT laboratory, the Assistant Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr Shawn Ntlhaile, said the state of the art laboratory would ensure that Etsha 6 Primary School experienced advanced learning like schools in urban areas.

Mr Ntlhaile said the ICT laboratory was a platform for innovation since it nurtured critical thinking in students.

He said government embraced the 4th Industrial Revolution and was committed to ensure technology was provided in remote areas hence the ministry signed an agreement to promote internet use in remote areas in 2018.

He said all government schemes and programmes such as agriculture programmes relied on the internet.

The Chairman of Universal Access and Service Fund, Mr Itumeleng Batsalelwang, said the agency was mandated to ensure availability of communication services to all people.

Mr Batsalelwang said young people should take advantage of technology available in their areas to improve their lives.

The MP for Ngami, Mr Philemon Aaron, implored the school management to ensure the ICT laboratory was used accordingly since technology had disadvantages as laerners could access wrong information.

The Acting School Head for Etsha 6 Primary School, Ms Kerotswe Mokene, said the primary school, which was established in 1973, currently had 915 learners, 30 teachers and had a shortage of seven teachers.

Ms Mokene expressed hope that the ICT laboratory would advance the school’s academic results since the school has been getting less than 60 per cent in the past five years. ENDS