Students graded ‘0’ for lost exam papers
While the whole country is still in shock over the poor recently released JC results, new investigations by WeekendPost have revealed that a number of students from different schools were graded a 0 mark for exam papers that got lost between the school authorities and Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) officials.
This publication can confirm that all 33 Art students at Marakanelo CJSS in Ncojane Village in the Kgalagadi District got a ‘Fail and Discontinue’ grade in the Art subject; A student got As and Bs plus an X at Mmachibaba CJSS in Ratholo in the Tswapong District and was awarded an overall X for all the subjects; At Rutang CJSS in Tonota, some students were given a 0 marks for mistakes done by officials.
Secretary General for Secondary Sector, Thomas Kajuu confirmed the incidents of at least these three schools. He said they were aware of the irregularities and damned BEC for the poor work. “The question is when and how are they going to grade these poor kids? Will it pose fair marks? And will the public rely on it as authentic?” he questioned.
Kajuu averred that this year the country have registered more Xs than any other year. “And this is not because children did not write…it is mistakes by BEC system.BEC is not competent,” he charged. In an interview, the Minister of Basic Education Unity Dow stated that, “I can confirm that an investigation is ongoing by the BEC to determine how and why the scripts did not reach their destination for marking regarding Marakanelo CJSS case. The chain of custody of the scripts is being investigated.”
She also stated that appropriate action will be determined once the investigation is complete. “There are two possible options; re-writing or grading based on continuous assessment,” said the minister who stated that she might not be aware of many other issues because it is not every irregularity that is brought to the minister’s attention. She highlighted there are procedures in place and that a proper report is also made for records keeping.
According to reports from Marakanelo CJSS, parents of the concerned students were summoned to the school recently where they were told by the School Head, Armstrong Mothibi that their children’s papers got lost after they wrote the examinations. “He told us the papers got lost in Gaborone where children are graded. My daughter got Cs and X for Art,” said one parent who sounded a bit calm adding that, “Ga ke itse gore ke eng ne basa ba fe sengwenyana (I do not know why they did not at least give them an average mark instead of zero).”
When reached for comment, the School Head for Marakanelo, Mothibi lamented that, “We are waiting for the children’s marks from there. They are there at BEC. We have given them the papers, so we are waiting for the grades.” However, when asked to be clear on what could have happened that they were still waiting for the marks when the JC results have already been released, Mothibi lost his temper and snapped, “I know what I am saying, and I mean it. I have worked in the ministry before. Don’t tell me what to say, this issue is still under investigation between our school and BEC officials.”
The School Deputy Head, Lawrence Staphel who is at the centre of the issue as he was the last person to be in possession of the papers on behalf of the school pleaded with the reporter not to go ahead with the story saying the issue is still under investigation. “I can advise you my sister to shelf the article for now. Do not blow the issue out of proportion because it is still internal and has not yet reached the elders’ desks,” he lamented, adding that he was aware that some people were going around sharing internal issues with outsiders just to ruin other people’s reputations.
In an interview with BEC Corporate Communications Manager, Fingile Makgalemele she confirmed the irregularities and stating that as the assessment body they have investigated the issue and still on it with the relevant stakeholders. “BEC advised the school to contact and counsel the affected parties,” she noted. “When results are released they become provisional for six weeks to allow for all queries and enquiries to be attended to by the examining body. Examinations have different issues and we address them as they come, this issue is one of them.”
Makgalemele further advised that the JCE Results are still Provisional Results since they are still within the six week period that all enquiries are addressed and solved by the Council, therefore, BEC is still doing what it needs to do to solve any query that occurred during the 2017 JCE Examination period.
Pressed further to clarify on what exactly happened, Makgalemele noted that, “X denotes failure to meet grading requirements for the award of a qualification and these are addressed during the provisional six week period.” On the issue that BEC is not competent, Makgalemele’s response was that BEC is not in a position to address personal opinions.
News
Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
News
Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
News
Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.