Sitting right at the top of the pyramid of academic excellence, Esther Modise, a Selebi Phikwe senior secondary school student, walked away with a presidential Golden Star award worth P20 000 during the Botswana Examination Council (BEC) 3rd Annual Excellence Awards, held on Thursday.
“This is the caliber of students we want, who exceed the standard set,” said Education Minister, Pelonomi Venson Moitoi.
Modise attained A* in eight subjects and an A in Additional Mathematics in BGCSE examinations.
“The awards serve to identify and recognize exceptional performance in national examinations as well as to showcase and celebrate the individual achiever’s talent,” said Moitoi, adding that Botswana’s chance and capacity to succeed in today’s knowledge society as a country depends upon, among other things, the competence, skills, knowledge and performance of the people.
A total of 72 students were honoured at the BEC awards ceremony. Five students were awarded for their top performance in their BGCSE exams as well as students with special needs.
Moitoi said the BEC excellence awards were born out of the belief in human potential, talent and exceptional performance. Students were awarded scholarships, cash prizes, laptops, digital cameras and vouchers.
The excellence awards were coupled with awards for best schools and best PTA.
Masingwane Primary School, Orapa CJSS and Naledi Senior Secondary Schools scooped the best school PTA awards and walked away with price monies worth P20 000 each.
“The awards seek to enhance stakeholder collaboration in the education of young Batswana as an important human resource that has to be nurtured and rewarded,” she said.
The award ceremony was graced by President Ian Khama. He commended the good work done by students and encouraged the teachers.
“In the near future, outstanding schools and teachers should be recognized,” said Khama.
