Bosele Primary celebrates Literacy Day

Sharon Mathala | Friday July 11, 2014 15:08

 

From plays to poems, the day which attracted parents and teachers, showed that the word of the day was literacy and its importance. Speaking at the event, the main speaker, the Director of Botswana National Library Services (BNLS), Gaorekwe Kgotla said that literacy is a vital feature of human dignity.

‘The world we live in today, it is no longer only about reading and writing, but it is also key to learn how to communicate, literacy is a feature of human dignity,’ said Kgotla.

Kgotla added that literacy generates aspirations and the ability to move forward as an individual. She also stated that illiteracy is one of the major contributors to most social ills.

“Illiteracy also results in a lot of social ills that have hit our societies, illiteracy contributes to increased numbers of people with sexually transmitted diseases, drug abuse, as well as unplanned pregnancies, amongst others,” Kgotla said. She further told the students and parents that botswana is ranked number 12 in the African literacy rate with a percentage of 81.2.

“Books no longer fascinate the youth, there is need to develop a reading culture,” Kgotla concluded.

Air Liquide, who adopted the school in 2012 through was represented by their Botswana Director Edith said that air liquide took the initiative to adopt Bosele Primary School as a way of contributing to achieving the nations Vision 2016.

“We were able to raise a total of P60,000 and this money has been used to buy books for the learners,” she said. Edith further urged the students to take care of the books and to make good use of them.

For his part, the principal of the school, Jikiza Mapete said that in celebrating the day they sought to teach their students on the importance of not only reading but understanding.

“When we initiated this day, we had noticed a growing trend in out students. The students of this era underestimate the power of reading,” he said.adding that his students now have ‘reading hour’ every morning before they begin their learning day.

When thanking the company that adopted his school, Mapete explained that Air Liquide Botswana has played a major role in the improvement of the school.