The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Honourable N.C.G. Mathema has called on schools to ensure that children are equipped with skills that would transform them into business people for the development of the nation.
Addressing delegates at the occasion of the official launch of the Covid-19 information, education and communication materials (IEC) at Rusununguko High School following a tour of the projects being run by the school, Minister Mathema said every child must go to school in order to be able to survive on their own .
“Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, after my tour of Rusununguko High School today, I can see Vision 2030 taking shape through the school curriculum ! I strongly encourage all schools to expose learners to as many practical skills development projects as possible in their various contexts. This is how the productive business mindset is developed from a very young age as a weapon to fight poverty and various social ills,” said Minister Mathema.
He applauded the school for initiating several projects such as piggery, egg production and horticulture in a bid to achieve self-sustenance as this would in the long run lead to a reduction in the fees being paid by the learners thereby making quality education affordable.
The minister, who was impressed by the fact that the piggery project enabled the school to meet its operational expenses during the lockdown period including paying workers, said that such endeavours should be publicized so that other schools would emulate.
The school had also made masks and sanitisers in preparation for the reopening of schools.
Hon. Mathema, who is spearheading efforts to promote self-sustenance in schools through income generating projects, said that by law he was supposed to be offering free education and such projects would go a long way towards meeting that legal obligation.
Minister Mathema was at Rusununguko High for the official launch of the Covid-19 IEC materials developed by the Ministry and its partners under the co-leadership of World Vision and Plan International.
The IEC materials which have already been distributed to schools carry several messages as a way of conscientising leaners, teachers and the community about Covid-19 in a bid to curb its spread.
The event was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Tumisang Thabela and other ministry officials, representatives of World Vision, Plan International, Save the Children, ECOZI and Fost, the District Development Coordinator, NASH and NAPH representatives and several parents.
