Category: Education

In a quest to transform learning, Gaborone Bonnington South Tutorial Services has received a donation of books worth a million from Macmillan Education Botswana.
During the handover ceremony in Gaborone yesterday, Acting President Ndaba Gaolathe underscored the vital role of education as a great equaliser, inspiring hope and opportunity across communities.
Beyond education, he said there was little that could unite and elevate society.
Therefore, he commended Macmillan for the unwavering support in empowering pupils to chase their dreams.
He added that the books would be instrumental in fostering critical thinking, broadening perspectives, and encouraging learning from different angles.
Mr Gaolathe, who was appointed in March as the Global Champion for Education by the Global Partnership for Education, further lauded teachers who, beyond their daily duties, dedicated their time voluntarily to support the centre’s mission.
Macmillan Botswana general manager Mr Kopano Sechele, traced the company’s history back to 1843 in London, noting that it had operated locally for 45 years.
He expressed the company’s mission to extend education nationwide, asserting that education was the ultimate tool for bridging societal gaps.
“When one is educated, they can go far in life,” he said, “as learning knows no boundaries or background.”
The donated collection includes works on poetry, mental health issues, and literature, catering from grassroots learners to secondary school pupils. He proposed involvement in celebratory events to motivate excellence through awards.
Macmillan has also partnered with Mosha Wellness Spa on a library project in Khwai, and has so far contributed books valued at P350,000 and the company has allocated books worth P3.6m to Botswana Prison Service, with the aim to provide inmates with educational opportunities, rekindling their humanity and offering a fresh start.In his welcoming remarks, Kgosi Arnold Somolekae Phase IV Customary Court expressed gratitude for the donation, noting its significant impact on the centre’s growth, with increasing enrolment prompting him to appeal for additional support in furniture and infrastructure.
He also hinted on the need for a larger facility to accommodate the expanding number of learners.

New Era College has sponsored 10 beneficiaries through the KAGO Scholarship, a new initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical, industry-relevant training. Speaking at the launch event in Gaborone recently, the college’s public relations and partnerships manager, Mr Kgosi Moremong said the beneficiaries were selected through a transparent and merit-based process.

He said the KAGO Scholarship targeted members of the Gaborone community and aimed to bridge the skills gap by providing hands-on training in construction-related fields.

The programme offered training in key areas including bricklaying, plastering, painting, ceiling installation and design.

Also, he pointed out that beyond technical instruction, the programme also incorporated industry attachment and job placement support to enhance employability.

“This initiative is very close to our hearts, it allows us to give back to the community we serve, not only by offering education but by ensuring that participants gain meaningful opportunities in the workforce,” Mr Moremong said.

In addition to community beneficiaries, he noted that the college had extended the scholarship opportunity to two members of its own grounds and maintenance staff, enabling them to upgrade their skills while continuing their employment.

The course instructor in the Construction Department, Mr Edmore Dupwa expressed optimism that the KAGO Scholarship would contribute to building a more skilled workforce while strengthening ties between the institution and the community.

He said they would strengthen practical skills within the construction sector and introduced a hands-on short course focused on equipping participants with essential building techniques and safety knowledge.

Mr Dupwa said the six months course was designed to ensure that learners acquired critical competencies that directly impacted the quality and safety of construction projects, adding that learners must first understand tools, their uses and maintenance before engaging in fieldwork.

“We do not just take you into the field immediately. You must first understand the tools, their uses and their maintenance. Safety in the construction industry is very important,” Mr Dupwa noted.

He said the course followed a structured progression from classroom-based theory to real-world practice, ensuring that students not only learned concepts, but also applied them effectively.

“From tool handling to setting out and executing construction tasks, every aspect is reinforced through hands-on experience,” he said.

By combining theory with fieldwork, Mr Dupwa said the training initiative aimed to produce skilled, safety-conscious builders capable of meeting modern construction standards.

He said as Botswana continued to develop its infrastructure, such programmes were expected to play a vital role in shaping a competent and reliable workforce in the building industry.

Also speaking at the event, Kgosi Kenneth Thari expressed gratitude to the selected cohort and encouraged them to remain disciplined and committed to their studies.

He reminded beneficiaries that the opportunity came at no cost and urged them to adhere to school rules and avoid absenteeism.

Kgosi Thari said as Botswana continued to expand its infrastructure, initiatives such as the KAGO Scholarship were expected to play a critical role in addressing youth unemployment and developing a competent, safety-conscious workforce within the construction sector.

The KAGO Scholarship Programme, valued at over P250 000, provided full tuition for the Building and Construction Programme.

It is a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative developed in partnership with the Office of the Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington North and the Block 8 Kgosi’s Office.

President Advocate Duma Boko has promised to champion Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST)’s mission, advocate its interests and promote its achievements within Botswana and beyond. President Boko, who was inaugurated as BIUST’s chancellor in Palapye on March 27, said he accepted the responsibility with humility, gratitude, enthusiasm and resolve, pledging to provide strategic and external leadership in support of the governing authority of the university. “I recognise that I assume this role at a time when universities across the world face complex challenges that include finance, competition for talent, and rapidly evolving technological demands,” he said, adding that with unity of purpose and clarity of vision, such hurdles could be turned into opportunities.“I commit myself to working closely with the BIUST council, the vice chancellor, the leadership of the university and the entire academic community in strengthening governance, expanding partnerships and advancing research excellence,” he said. He said the creation of BIUST was not a happenstance but was established to spearhead Botswana’s transition from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-driven economy that thrived on innovation.“It is, therefore, fitting that BIUST was conceived as a specialised, research-intensive institution dedicated to the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Its mission is clear; to cultivate innovators, to train problem-solvers to generate knowledge capable of transforming industries, economies, and societies,’’ he said.He said through the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP), the government would transform education into a key pillar for a knowledge-based economy, focusing on STEAM, digital literacy, research, and curriculum modernisation to match graduate skills with labor market needs as well as create high-value employment.President Boko said Botswana was blessed with the gift of a youth demographic dividend: a youthful and vibrant population whose energy needed to be channeled to make them architects of the country’s next chapter.Also, President Boko commended BIUST for having produced more than three thousand graduates, young men and women equipped with market-relevant skills and global ambition.‘’Some are entrepreneurs building enterprises, others innovators solving complex challenges, while yet others are pioneers extending Botswana’s intellectual footprint beyond the borders,” he said.He said a few days preceding the historic launch of Botswana’s first satellite, BOTSAT-1 in March last year, he had the distinct privilege of touring the facilities of SpaceX – the American technological outfit that helped BIUST launch BOTSAT-1 into space and he gained valuable insight into cutting-edge space technologies.President Advocate Boko said therefore, the lauch of BOTSAT-1 reaffirmed the Southern African nation’s commitment to digital transformation, scientific progress, and technological innovation. BIUST achievements also aligned closely with Botswana’s broader national vision to diversify the economy beyond diamonds, he stated further.He said government had embarked upon several forward-looking initiatives, including the establishment of a National Research and Development Fund accessible to accredited institutions to stimulate innovation and technological discovery.Meanwhile, President Boko paid homage to former president, Dr Festus Mogae, who became BIUST’s first chancellor. He said Dr Mogae’s exemplary leadership and unwavering commitment to national development had played a key role in establishing and nurturing BIUST during its formative years.“Your legacy resonates far beyond this campus. It speaks to the nation, the region and the global community of science and learning. You set a standard of leadership that is both inspiring and formidable,” he said.As BIUST second chancellor, President Boko pledged to honour Dr Mogae’s legacy by safeguarding his achievements and advancing the mission the former statesman championed.

As Standard One learners across the country reported for their first day of school on January 13, Mogoditshane Primary School experienced a familiar first-day rush, welcoming 120 new learners and their parents.

Of the new intake, 60 learners were enrolled in reception, while another 60 began Standard One, joining an existing learner population of 1,026.

The school atmosphere was marked by excitement and nervous anticipation among both returning and first-time learners, while some parents lingered anxiously, hoping their children would secure placement at the school.

With only five primary schools serving Mogoditshane amid the urban village’s rapidly growing population, estimated at about 88,000 people according to the 2022 Population and Housing Census access to school placements remains a persistent challenge.

“There are still many children on the waiting list dating back to 2024,” said Mogoditshane Primary School head, Mr Samuel Setuke.

He explained that although the school was originally designed to accommodate 801 pupils, enrolment rose to 1,126 last year, including 100 Standard 7 learners who completed their studies.

This year, the learner population has further increased to 1,146.

Mr Setuke outlined several challenges facing the school, including dilapidated classroom furniture, a situation worsened by the shift system, which resulted in furniture being used throughout the day.

He also cited a high learner-teacher ratio, limited resources such as stationery, occasional food shortages and financial constraints affecting the procurement of teaching materials, including Breakthrough, a teaching strategy used to help Standard One learners develop Setswana word recognition skills.

Despite these challenges, Mr Setuke expressed optimism, noting that teachers were ready to deliver quality education.

He added that the school had strengthened partnerships with parents, who had agreed to contribute P20 toward stationery to help ease resource shortages.