Shakawe Junior Secondary School has partnered with Dolph Camps to roll out an intensive academic boot camp aimed at improving learner performance ahead of the 2026 examinations.
The week-long initiative targets Form Three students and seeks to raise the school’s pass rate from an average of 33 percent to at least 50 percent. School authorities say the intervention comes after years of unsatisfactory results, despite multiple efforts to reverse the trend.
Held in Shakawe village, the programme brought together learners for focused revision sessions, mentorship and motivational talks designed to strengthen both academic understanding and confidence.
Speaking at the opening of the boot camp, school head, Gladys Mafoko said the initiative was born out of concern over persistently poor results.
“We have learners who continue to struggle academically, and as a school we have tried various interventions with little success,” she said. “This boot camp is a new approach aimed at unlocking their potential and pushing them to realize their inner abilities.”
Mafoko added that the school recognized the need for more targeted and intensive support, particularly for learners preparing for their final junior secondary examinations.
Boot camp coordinator Koketso Monageng-Chawira said the programme was designed to bridge gaps between teaching and learning, noting that some students often fail to fully grasp classroom instruction.
“Our aim is to break down the barriers that exist between teaching and understanding,” she said. “There are learners who attend classes but still struggle to absorb the content. This platform gives them a chance to engage more deeply and ask questions in a supportive environment.”
She added that introducing the boot camp early in the academic year would give learners sufficient time to apply the skills and knowledge gained.
Dolph Camps Director Dolph Ditirwa emphasised the importance of investing in education, describing it as a long-term commitment that requires collaboration.
“Education is not a short-term effort; it is a continuous investment,” he said. “Through this partnership, we are working together to support these learners and help them achieve better outcomes.”
Students were also urged to take responsibility for their academic journeys and remain disciplined in their studies.
Delivering a motivational address, Shakawe Senior Secondary School head Gabo Andreck encouraged learners to recognise and nurture their potential.
“Each one of you has a unique ability that must be developed through hard work and focus,” she said. “Success comes from consistency, discipline and a willingness to learn.”
She stressed that excellence is achieved through sustained effort, urging learners to remain committed even when faced with challenges.
Shakawe Junior Secondary School remains optimistic that the boot camp will mark a turning point in its academic performance, with both educators and partners hopeful that the initiative will produce measurable improvements in this year’s examination results.
