Corporate partnership in education commendable

Monitor Editor | Monday November 3, 2014 17:28

The lodge also sourced funds to buy computers for the school. The lodge needs to be commended for the efforts. Education is key to success; as such the importance of the business community in partnering in the development of the country’s future leaders cannot be over-emphasised. Gone are the days when people used to go through the school system without knowing how to use a computer. Today’s world is fast changing and technology has become the way of life.

Primary education is the most important stage in the educational system, and it is high time schools get the attention they deserve. Provision of computers and Internet to primary schools, is important in that, pupils will have an opportunity to learn computer skills, and be introduced to research at an early age.  The Internet will hopefully give teachers access to helpful information, which can help them in their efforts to improve the school’s results.

While provision of computers and Internet is commendable, there is still a lot that the business community and individuals can do, to help public schools, with the goal of producing well-educated leaders.

The Monitor urges the business community to follow the example set by Rocklane Lodge, Botsalano Press Publishers, Botswana Post and others who have previously funded different programmes in schools targeting and creating a conducive learning environment for learners.  The government launched the Adopt-a-School programme a few years back and a number of companies responded to the call, by adopting schools across the country. In 2013,  Botswana Post adopted a school in the Gantsi District. The parastatal, through the initiative gave the school a fully functional computer lab with solar powered laptops and Internet connectivity; a refurbished library with furniture, books, magazines, a radio and television set and a fully irrigated garden.

If there is one thing that cannot be taken from someone, it is education and investing in education is perhaps the most worthwhile investment.