MoESD ventures to eliminate school dropouts

PINI BOTHOKO
Correspondent | Wednesday May 15, 2013 00:00

 

Venson-Moitoi said this when addressing a Kgotla meeting at Chadibe village on Friday.  The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tonota North Fidelis Molao and Tonota Sub-District Council Senior Secretary Terrence Ntalabgwe, accompanied Venson- Moitoi as she visited schools in the sub district. Their visit included one to Borolong Primary School where classroom shortages have resulted in students being taught in the open.  Other schools visited were Tlhalogang Primary and Junior Secondary Schools and John Nswazwi Junior Secondary School in Marapong.

At the meeting, Venson-Moitoi said her ministry is concerned about children roaming the streets after failing their Form Three exams while they had other talents that they can pursue.'We want all children to further their studies when they finish their JC. Those who have passed will proceed to do their Form Four and those who have failed will be sent to brigades and vocational training schools to do courses in whatever discipline they have aptitude towards' said Venson-Moitoi. She disclosed that it was still an idea that was yet to go through Parliament in June this year and if supported, there will be no dropouts at JC in two years to come.

'It hurts seeing young children staying home after failing JC. Some children are not gifted academically but there are disciplines that they perform better in: Some are more into sporting activities while some are gifted in handwork and will be sent to brigades and vocational schools to focus on what they know best,' she said.

She further said that schools of industry would be established to cater for all those who have not performed well in their JC exams to further their studies. This, Venson-Moitoi said, will give them a chance to apply for sponsorship and further their studies at local universities and colleges after completing their certificates at brigades and vocational training schools.

'After completing their NCC at brigades, they can apply for sponsorship and do diplomas and degrees at schools like Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Botho College and others with courses that deal with handiwork,' she said. During questions and comments, Otsile Mokobela advised the ministry to consider teachers who have been trained for sports to focus on sports activities at the grounds than teaching only.

'It is a waste because at the moment teachers who have been trained for sports are more into theory than practicals at the grounds to unearth children's talents. This will help because some children can survive through athletics like Amantle Montsho, Nigel Amos and others,' he said. In response, Venson-Moitoi said teachers specialising in sports have been deployed to schools to help children with talents in sporting activities. She encouraged parents to support their children in building their education. She said that government has programmes like Back-to-School meant to help those who have failed years back to upgrade their studies and she urged Batswana to utilise such opportunities.