Given the recent updates to the school curriculum, there is need for learners to be equipped and empowered before leaving primary school with the necessary knowledge and information on the career opportunities available in the market as well as the subjects they need to enable them to make informed decisions.
The African Bush Camps Foundation (ABCF) community liaison person and project officer Selly Kegakamang shared that this is the reason why they recently held a career fair for standard 7 students from Bana Ba Letsatsi, Ditshiping, Khwai and Matlapaneng primary schools.
“Many of these learners from the primary schools that ABCF supports come from underdeveloped communities with limited access to information, technology, and career prospects. Therefore, these learners are at a disadvantage when deciding what career path to venture into due to these limitations,” she added.
Held under the theme: Nurturing career aspirations and exploration, the fair was for learners from the communities and schools that ABCF support to equip and empower them with career guidance and advice to assist them with selecting a career path when moving into Junior Schools and vocational schools.
Kewagamang added that the initiative is also in line with their adopted decision to support communities where their camps are based-this being in Khwai, Linyanti and Ditshiping while their office is situated in Maun.
“We have three values conservation, community empowerment and education. Our education focus area aims to improve the quality of learning facilities, provide access to education for the less fortunate, and offer job shadowing opportunities.”
The fair was attended by professionals from different companies who inspired learners about possible careers to take as well as the necessary requirements for the jobs. This included pilots, photographers, marketing officers, guides, athletes, educational officers, paramedics and creatives among others.
The event was also graced by North West regional educational director, Veronica Mochotlhi who appreciated that the career fair forms part of the ministry’ strategy that calls for collaboration with other stakeholders.
Mochotlhi also emphasized that the fair is important because it nature’s pathways at an early age.
“We have moved from content-based education to do outcome-based education and we are introducing multiple pathways so I believe this career fair builds to that. We want at an early age when a child leaves standard 7 it should be clear if his or her interest is on vocational academic profession or not.”
Meanwhile on the sideline of the fair an essay and art competition was held which saw Temo Masika and Thabiso Tsele both from Matlapana primary school who scooped position 1 respectively getting an opportunity to fly with Wilderness Air to African Bush Camps properties Khwai Leadwood and Khwai Lediba including a game drive and Lunch in camp. The fair is expected to be an annual event and next year, African Bush Camps promises to engage all schools in Maun and more stakeholders for partnerships.
