Education authorities in North West District have said they are impressed with the high number of adult learners enrolled in the Out Of School Education and Training (OSET) program in their district.
The government funded program assist adult learners achieve their desired educational goals regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or background. It also helps learners who missed the chance to attend formal schooling by training them on how to read, write and be able to make simple arithmetic calculations and possibly attain formal education certificates.
OSET further assists in bridging the learning gap, out of school education and training unit offers children, youths and adults who have never been to school or have been but failed to attain primary school leaving certificate equivalence, an opportunity to attend learning
sessions for 2 hours daily.
North West Regional Education’s Chief Education Officer, Brown Sethapelo revealed that the numbers grew from only 500 learners in the previous year to 1604 learners this year. He indicated that they have seen more enrollment in rural areas like Gudigwa, Kareng, all the way up to the areas around Phuduhudu and Khwai.
He however said that even though the numbers are high, they wish for them to continue growing. Sethapelo therefore advised the students to also encourage those who are not enrolled to do so as education and literacy develops a person.
He further said that learners can further their studies to the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) level and even up to the University. “This year in our region, we have 28 adult learners who have registered for PSLE under the OSET unit called Adult Basic Education Programme (ABEP) programme.”
Sethapelo was speaking at the mini International Literacy day that was held in Sehithwa which was a buildup activity towards the Commemoration of the International Literacy Day set for September 8th, 2023 in Ghanzi.
The International Literacy Day is celebrated annually after the 14th session UNESCO General conference of 1966 declaration which is aimed at advancing the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. The day will this year be celebrated under the theme ‘Encouraging literacy in a world undergoing transition’.
Meanwhile Barminco Mining Services (BMS) has pledged to assist OSET with fundamental needs including learning materials and proper meeting places.
The company’s Alternate Project Manager, Boitumelo Leshiba said that the conditions under which learning is done in most rural areas can bring some negativity and sometimes learners can become unmotivated or even drop out. Leshiba said President Mokgweetsi Masisi’s Mindset Change campaign emphasizes the need to change minds and be able to recognize and appreciate literacy as one of the priorities for attaining the goal of peaceful and sustainable societies.
Meanwhile, the SAVE Wildlife Conservation fund that works hand in hand with OSET to improve individuals’ socio-economic wellbeing and expand sustainable livelihood opportunities, donated awards for the top achievers worth P11 500 as an encouragement to the learners to keep working hard and improve their livelihoods.
