Schools

DEBSWANA SUPPORTED SCHOOLS

OLDM SCHOOLS

Orapa, Letlhakane and Damtshaa Mines (OLDM) prides itself on the four co-educational private schools run by Debswana for its employees and other critical stakeholders. These are:

• Tawana Pre-Primary School
• Bathoen House Primary School
• Boteti House Primary School
• Livingstone House Primary School

All children (including educationally gifted children and those requiring remedial and/ or special education) are catered for in these schools.

The schools base their curriculum on the one prescribed by the Botswana Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MOESD). This is further extended and enriched by the use of specialised materials to encourage and motivate pupils to fully realise their true potential. As learners progress through the school, their studies develop into six examinable subjects that will eventually be tested through the national Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) in their final year, Standard 7. These subjects are English, Setswana, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Education, and Agriculture.

Setswana as a subject is compulsory for all citizens, and optional for expatriates. The curriculum is further enriched by the incorporation of adjunct subjects such as Music, Computers/IT, Physical Education, Design and Technology, Remedial and Library Studies to expand pupils’ horizons and motivate them to realise their full potential – these are subjects rarely offered at this level in other schools. We recognise the importance of inclusive education, and hence support a Special Education unit that caters for children with learning disabilities.

Over and above the PSLE, students in the Senior Primary Phase sit for an external examination – CONQUESTA.

This is a benchmark examination held across regional schools, mostly in South Africa and Namibia. This examination helps us to gauge the quality, competitiveness and standard of our academic education against a regional benchmark.

In addition, a variety of afternoon activities are offered to all pupils. Activities include swimming, athletics, tennis, cricket, soccer, netball, cross-country, music and chess. All students are expected to have some involvement in this programme. Research shows that such pursuits improve self-esteem, create a greater sense of belonging, improve academic results and predispose a healthier and more active lifestyle after they leave school. Music plays a very important role at the schools, and emphasis is placed on learning to play various instruments, including melodicas, recorders, marimbas and steel drums.

EDUCATIONAL APPROACH

The Orapa Schools’ motto is ‘Deeds, not Words/Ditiro eseng Mafoko’. The motto emphasises the schools’ commitment to not just talking about issues that matter, but ‘walking the talk’. We acknowledge that we are part of the global village and as such, while recognising the central role of our national heritage, we also appreciate the importance of internationally accepted cultural norms.

The schools’ logos incorporate a diamond shape with a wild animal at its center (in the case of the primary schools), and children playing (in the case of the pre-primary school). The diamond is a symbol of the importance of mineral resources in Botswana. It also symbolises the provision of the highest possible standard of education to all our children in a multicultural environment. The wild animals represent our fragile environment and its importance to our nation’s health and wellbeing. The children playing symbolise learning through play.

Orapa schools’ philosophy, key values and principles:

1. To provide a balanced, well rounded and holistic education encouraging the development of academic, sporting and cultural excellence in each child.
2. To aim at achieving a standard of education comparable to or better than the best that is found in each child’s country of origin.
3. To pursue a high standard of excellence in a loving and caring atmosphere that is conducive to learning and teaching.
4. To bring about an atmosphere of mutual cooperation, respect, loyalty and trust between the children, staff and parents for the benefit of all concerned by making the school a model of care and good service.
5. To offer our key customers, our children and parents, as well as other stakeholders, timeous professional assistance at all times.
6. To establish an atmosphere of open communication and consultation with the parents on activities and developments of the school.
7. To encourage each individual pupil to realise his/her full potential and build self esteem.
8. To inculcate personal responsibility and self discipline.