STORY: China-aided school enhances access to high-quality education for Botswana students
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 15, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 29, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:17
LOCATION: MMOPANE, Botswana 
CATEGORY: EDUCATION

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Mmopane Primary School
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GAGOITSIWE MARATA, Headmistress of Mmopane Primary School
3. various of Mmopane Primary School
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): GAGOITSIWE MARATA, Headmistress of Mmopane Primary School
5. various of Mmopane Primary School
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BOIKANO RANTSHESANE, Student at Mmopane Primary School     

STORYLINE:

Since the opening of a China-aided primary school in 2021 in Mmopane, a village near Botswana's capital, Gaborone, the local educational landscape has seen significant favorable changes.

Located in the Kweneng District of Botswana, about 15 km northwest of Gaborone, Mmopane is one of the fastest-growing villages in the country in terms of population. Currently, it has about 30,000 residents and is expanding rapidly, with even more people seeking places for their children.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): GAGOITSIWE MARATA, Headmistress of Mmopane Primary School
"It (Mmopane Primary School) has come at the right time for the community of Mmopane. This school has really helped the Mmopane community because initially there was only one school which was serving the whole of the village."

Currently, Mmopane Primary School has about 900 students and receives a large number of enrollment requests from parents every year. "The school was oversubscribed as it had a lot of learners attending, but the demand for spaces at the school continues to grow," Marata said.

According to Marata, the school's biggest attractions are its impressive facilities. There is a large dining hall, sports facilities including netball, football, and basketball courts, computer labs, science labs, disability-accessible restrooms, and a modern library.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): GAGOITSIWE MARATA, Headmistress of Mmopane Primary School
"A lot of parents, they look at the infrastructure, and they look at the behavior of the learners. Almost all the parents really, even myself, if I had children, I would want my kids to come to this school."

Boikano Rantshesane, 13, enrolled at Mmopane Primary School in 2021. She said her grades have largely improved since she transferred to this school.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BOIKANO RANTSHESANE, Student at Mmopane Primary School
"I can say that this school is perfect because the teachers also help us to attain our motive, which is to strive for a hundred percent. And this school is neat. There's enhanced technology."

In 2023, the school achieved a pass rate of 98.3 percent in its first-ever national Primary School Leaving Examination, topping Kweneng District. Of the 118 students, 116 passed the exams, with 46 obtaining grade A.

At present, Mmopane Primary School is one of the three primary schools aided by China in Botswana, with the other two being Kubung Primary School in Maun and Dinokwane Primary School in Serowe.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Mmopane, Botswana.
(XHTV)