The Botswana Examination Council (BEC) released the BGCSE results for students who sat for Form 5 examinations in 2024.
Whilst initially BEC released that only 3,673 candidates scored 36 points and above, the number was corrected to 6,521 during a press conference, which was held on Friday at the BEC boardroom.
The set cut-off for government sponsorship is 36 points and sadly this means that only 6,521 will be eligible for the support and the remaining thousands will be left out. It is a well-known fact that not many Batswana families can afford to pay tertiary fees for their children, which means a large population of 2024 candidates will have to either accept their fate or find ways of improving their grades.
There is always talk about the need for our education system to be improved and there has been an outcry for many years about the ever-dropping Form 5 results, but that is all that it is; just talk.
Batswana last October, made history by removing the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power, entrusting the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) with improving their livelihoods. Every Motswana is now hopeful that the new government will work towards ensuring that citizens of this beautiful country do not go to bed hungry.
There is a saying that education is the key to success, and this is actually true and relevant in today’s world. Whilst some jobs don't require someone to have an educational background, most jobs need someone who has seen the entrance of a tertiary institution.
We honestly cannot just sit back and be happy with the number of students who seem to qualify for tertiary education, or rather sponsorship. It is high time that all stakeholders come together to discuss how the issue can be mitigated. It has happened before that when numbers are so low, a decision is sometimes taken to lower the 36 cut-off just a little. Whilst others may argue that it may not necessarily be the best idea, to let people who didn't do well proceed; maturity comes in stages and as such, the ones who didn't do well, when given a chance, will most likely do much better.
For the sake of our future leaders, we plead with the government to find ways of ensuring that a promising number go for tertiary education! Our children deserve a bright future and it is very important for the country to invest in its future leaders.
