China-aided schools enhance access to education for Botswana students

Botswanan received the fourth China-aided primary school in October, marking another step forward in the southern African country's educational development.

Ramaeba Primary School, in Kazungula village of northern Botswana, is designed to accommodate 560 students across 14 classrooms, spanning about 61,000 square meters.

The school's main facilities include 16 buildings, such as teaching and office blocks, a library, a dining hall, teachers' quarters and sports fields.

"China has taken to its notice that education is among the top priorities of Botswana's socioeconomic development process," said Fan Yong, China's ambassador to Botswana.

The Ramaeba school follows three previous China-aided primary schools: Kubung Primary School in Maun, Dinokwane Primary School in Serowe and Mmopane Primary School near Gaborone, Botswana's capital.

Mokgweetsi Masisi, then Botswana's president, Slumber Tsogwane, then Botswana's vice-president and other senior officials attended the handover ceremony in October, unveiling the school's plaque and touring its facilities.

Tsogwane highlighted the achievement as a testament to the strong partnership between Botswana and China, noting that the project "has been made possible by our partnership with the People's Republic of China".

Positive case

The previously built China-aided primary schools have already brought benefits to local education. Since the opening of the primary school in 2021 in Mmopane village, the educational landscape has seen positive changes.

"This school has come at the right time for the Mmopane community," said Gagoitsiwe Marata, the headmistress of Mmopane Primary School.

"It has really helped the community because initially there was only one school that was serving the whole of the village."

Marata said that before Mmopane Primary School was established, students had to walk long distances to other schools in nearby villages or commute to Gaborone. Some parents were less privileged and could not afford to pay for transportation for their children.

Tlotlo Seloke, 10, was one of the students who faced this challenge. She had to wake up at 5 am every day to take public transport to school.

Concerned about potential kidnappings and robberies, she transferred to the Mmopane Primary School when it opened.

"This school is completely fabulous because now it takes me 10 minutes to walk from home to school," Seloke said, adding that she always shares with the neighborhood what the students are learning and the activities they are participating in at school.

Boikano Rantshesane, 13, enrolled at Mmopane Primary School in 2021. She told reporters that she was not performing well academically at her previous school. However, since transferring to the school, her grades have improved significantly.

Last year, the school achieved a pass rate of 98.3 percent in its first national primary school leaving examination, topping Kweneng district. Of the 118 students, 116 passed the exams with 46 obtaining top grades.

Marata attributed their success to the firm relationships with teachers, students and parents who provide emotional support, as well as strong staff welfare and assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Botswana.

The school is set to welcome students for enrollment in January next year.