Gaborone — Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs, Ms Annah Mokgethi has commended The Broadcasters Organisation (TBO) for its contribution in enhancing globally competitive education.
Speaking during the Destiny Shapers national annual awards in Gaborone recently, Minister Mokgethi said TBO’s initiative was doing a lot in improving academic performance levels in the country.
She noted that TBO’s inclusion of more than 250 schools in the initiative was noteworthy, indicating that it was critical to the development and integration of the knowledge based economy agenda as well as the fourth industrial revolution into basic education.
Ms Mokgethi also noted that all stakeholders should make critical investments into the country’s education sector to ensure that potentially improved academic performance levels were realised.
She added that the organisation’s efforts in awarding teachers for their performance was an important step towards motivating as well as recognising hard working teachers, ‘who at times do not get the critical recognition they deserve for doing selflessly in their duties.’
Acknowledging the contributions of the organisation towards teacher empowerment, the chief executive education officer for Palapye Sub Region, Ms Wananani Gunda appreciated the recognition teachers were getting through their participation in the television broadcasting initiative.
Ms Wananani noted that the initiative had made strides in improving learner results at grassroots level.
She said this was critical to the Ministry of Basic Education agenda, noting that with the outcome based education enshrined within the Education and Training Sector Strategic Plan (ETSSP) frameworks, they could also coordinate with the organisation to achieve the expected results.
She also noted that students participating in the initiative were more empowered and had improved their grades.
Ms Wananani also noted that schools which participated in the initiative had produced some of the best performing pupils and teachers in the country, something which was worthy to be celebrated.
The Destiny Shapers National Annual Awards recognised teachers performing in several categories such as religious education, creative and performing arts, enhanced technology in reading category and best teaching in agriculture among others.
Meanwhile, one of TBO’s sponsors, Botswana Insurance Company, contributed P100 000 cash to assist the organisation to drive its mandate.
The organisation’s board members were also recognised for their tireless efforts in growing the initiative to where it could facilitate all 250 participating schools.