Art teachers applauded for commitment to work
Pini Bothoko | Friday March 13, 2015 16:51
The Regional Director for Operations in the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD), Oupa Masesane said this at the Northern Art Teachers Association (NATA) results analysis held at Ntshe House library on Tuesday.
He said that over the years art teachers at Juniour Certificate (JC) and Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) have proved to be fully committed, something that is reflected by their results. The overall performance of 2014 art subjects in junior secondary schools in the district shows that 19 students passed with Grade A as compared to 15 students in 2013. About 347 students passed with Grade C last year as compared to 310 students in 2013.
In senior secondary schools students who passed with A* last year were 11 a huge improvement as compared to only one student at Masunga Senior Secondary School back in 2013.
Last year 32 students passed with Grade A in 2014 as compared to only 13 students who got Grade A in the previous year (2013).
Still in the BGCSE 2014 results 100 students passed with Grade C as compared to 49 students in 2013. The results also show a decline in numbers of students who failed with Grade E with 18 students as compared to 49 students who got E in 2013.
The regional director congratulated art teachers for producing good results last year whilst the whole country is talking of a decline.
“I have to congratulate you art teachers, your attitude towards your work has paid off. You know very well how to motivate your students and I wish other subject teachers could develop (the same) passion towards their work too,” said Masesane.
He said when visiting schools unannounced last year, art teachers were found hands on and busy at the laboratories helping students. He said that it showed their commitment to work.
“This is your uniqueness as art teachers. Please continue with this good work and strive to improve the results even better this year,” said Masesane.
He said that Masunga Senior Secondary School scooped position one nationwide in Art with 92.42 percent after obtaining nine A* as compared to only one A* in 2013 with 32 students passing with Grade A as compared to only 13 students who passed with A in 2013.
He added that there is remarkable improvement in most of the schools across all levels committing him to avail funds to schools.
“I know that practical subjects like Art are faced with shortage of materials. Today I promise you that I will reserve money in the region so that you do not run short of materials. We cannot afford to go down instead we want to improve more on these results this year,” he said.
NATA chairperson Terry Rankhudu echoed Masesane’s sentiments saying Art teachers have proven to be the best through the commitment they have displayed towards their work.
He revealed that as the leadership of NATA they are impressed with the attitude of Art teachers and the relationship they have built with students.
He said Art teachers usually volunteer to help learners in their own spare time to better the results.
Rankhudu said that they are also good at team spirit saying he established it during exhibitions and workshops and at the end they managed to produce good results.
He called on Art teachers to come up with new strategies to use this year in order to maintain the results or do better this year.
MoESD principal education officer I, Gift Ramaotwana said that they arranged workshops for both juniour and senior secondary schools in the region before last year’s examinations and it has paid off as reflected by the marks that the schools produced.
“During exhibitions your commitment was reflected in your students’ work. Students produced good products. I was impressed with the basketry that students displayed,” said Ramaotwana and added that basketry is exportable therefore it can benefit them in future if they carry on using their talent.