04 Mar 2025

Mmopane Primary School on Friday had a victory party after outclassing all Kweneng District Primary Schools in the 2023 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) results.

Opened in 2021,with the upper class being Standard 5s, this very class went on to scoop position one in the school’s maiden PSLE results in 2023, topping the region with a pass mark of 98.3 percent.

The class of 2024 sustained the momentum to claim the region’s crown once again with a pass rate of 94.3 percent.

According to the school head, Ms Gagoitsiwe Marata, this victory did not come easily but as a result of hard work, discipline, commitment and teamwork.

“Our teachers have given their best, tirelessly guiding and mentoring our learners. Parents have also been unwavering in their support, ensuring that learners had the right environment to excel,” she said.

She expressed pride in the learners’ determination, resilience and focus, which provided proof that success is possible through dedication.

“We must keep striving for greatness, setting new goals and working even harder to maintain this top position in the years to come,’ said Ms Marata.

She, however, said her school was faced with challenges such as influx of space seekers at the school, whose capacity was supposed to be 660, but now was nearly double the number.

Ms Marata said despite the new education policy directing that there should be a reception class wing, this has not yet materialised at her school.

She listed a number of challenges including lack of carports, a delay in the school’s official opening, lack of shaded areas for students to wait for pick up vehicles, lack of cameras, and no internet connectivity.

The Member of Parliament for Mmopane-Metsimotlhabe and also the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Pushie Manyeneng said the school is worth being emulated by other schools within the Kweneng region.

Ms Manyeneng said junior schools were the next step in shaping the way of a child, therefore teachers should keep track of students from their primary schools in order to align them to positive grooming that will not derail them from the momentum that they gained from primary level.

Ms Manyeneng said the facilities of the school were so stunning that she wished all schools could have such a conducive school environment that was also motivating to both the teachers and the students.

Acting Kweneng Regional Director for Education, Mr Elisha Masedi said besides the commitment, hard work and determination, it also took spending sleepless nights by the teachers and learners in order to do well.

Mr Masedi encouraged the current Standard 7 class to work hard to maintain the school’s record.

When giving a keynote address, the Sales and Marketing Manager for Macmillan Botswana Publishing Company Mr Letsweletse Matlhape said that occassion was a testament of the unwavering dedication, perseverance and hard work of the students, teachers and non-teaching staff.

He said their collective commitment to academic excellence exemplifies the very essence of their school’s potential and transformative power of education.

“We acknowledge not only your exceptional achievements but also the remarkable challenges faced by the school. Yet, here we are today, celebrating achievements that stand as beacons of hope and inspiration to all,” he said.

Mr Matlhape said every school must provide every child with quality education that offers the path out of poverty.

Mr Matlhape said the very commitment that the school has demonstrated showed that they have laid smart objectives that call for maximum performance to achieve excellent results .

“To all students, this is the beginning of your journey to shape your life and future. You started your path well by working hard in your academics as well as by listening to the advice of your parents and teachers,” Mr Matlhape added. ENDS