Goodhope Senior School promises better results

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Thursday March 4, 2010 00:00

Keatimilwe's school obtained sixth position out of 28 schools with a 39.27 percentage pass rate in their first posted Botswana General Certificate in Secondary Education (BGCSE) results.  The multi million-pula school first opened its doors in 2008 much later than the other schools and started operating without books, desks, mattresses at the hostels as well as a serious shortage of water.

'We did not let that dampen our spirits in working tirelessly with the students to catch up with the syllabus. We just wanted to make it into the top 10 but when we came out in position six it was a happy moment for us, like a child being showered with mother love,' Keatimilwe said.

He indicated that the teachers had to photocopy textbooks and dedicate an hour of strict supervised studies from 6am to 7am when classes started.

Keatimilwe explained that they had to set a good culture of learning where no movements to and from the toilets were allowed during classes, submit assignments on time and arrive for their classes on time.

He also revealed that the majority of students at the school are needy and taken care of by social workers. As such the school avoids marginalising such students by not allowing many free weekends.

'The group that wrote the examinations was not that good as compared to this year's group. We are expecting better results this year, the other schools should watch out,' said Keatimilwe whose appointment to head the school was questioned by the teachers union. 'They were criticising me then and I thought they would say something now that the results are out but they are all quite. Sometimes it is not about the qualifications one has, but how well they execute the job on the ground and the management of the school.

At Goodhope Secondary School we do not believe in going to work but believe in working for visible results,' he said.              

Makhubu Junior Secondary School in Selebi-Phikwe also performed very well for the years Keatimilwe was heading the school before he was promoted to head the newly opened Goodhope Senior School.