Excelling Maths, Science students awarded
LINEO MALATALIANA
MASERU – Lesotho Science and Mathematics Teachers Association (LSMTA) has recognized the 2024 Young Top Achievers through an award giving ceremony at an event last Friday. A total of 39 top achievers in primary were given medals and FNB Lesotho branded school bags, while M1 000 and Best Achiever medals was given to 21 high scholars. Local businesses sponsored the event.
Mathematics and Science are regarded as esteemed subjects in the growing of any country’s economy and as such students who show interest in these subjects and perform exceptionally are highly recognized.
LSMTA is driven to ensure that students not regard Mathematics and Science as grim subjects but rather as challenging and innovative tools that will help to drive creativity and problem solving strategies both at school and in life generally.
Master of Ceremonies, Justice Pheko, engaged the crowd with laughter but also imparted words of wisdom to the guests of honour and their parents.
“We need to invest in our children, not just with money but through time and dedication,” Pheko said.
The president of LSMTA, Keketso Leteba, explained the ceremony as a celebration of academic achievement for students who have outdone themselves in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
“This initiative started in 2019, with the aim of motivating students in STEM subjects and their importance,” Leteba said.
The president emphasized that most students who excel in STEM subjects in high school are like not further them later on in life.
Leteba believes that it is critical to prepare these students for the work force.
“No work force can survive without the presence of STEM background in the work force,” the president said.
The award ceremony recognised students from Grade 7, Lesotho General Certificate of Secondary Education (LGCSE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).
LMSTA awarded 39 Grade seven students who performed exceptionally well in Mathematics, Science and Technology and 21 secondary education students who obtained A* in Mathematics, Biology, Physical Science, pure Physics and Chemistry.
Leribe district was awarded three awards in best performance in Biology, Mathematics and Physics. Maseru walked away with best Primary Mathematics, Science and Technology and also got the overall award.
Seithati Moeletsi, a student who received recognition for excellence, passed her gratitude to LSMTA for honouring them in the manner.
The bubbly student from St Stephens High School walked managed three A* awards in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. Moeletsi thanked patents for the dedication and support throughout their academic journey.
“We troubled you in this journey. Thank you for being there for us and supporting us,” Moeletsi said.
“Before all the sponsors thought of us as important, you our parents saw us in all our struggles,” the young girl said.
For district chairpersons, ‘Maneo Letsatsi, said that they are grateful to be celebrating the excelling students.
“The beginning of wisdom is fearing Jehovah,” Letsatsi said.
She encouraged the students to adopt humility as they further their educational journeys in the Mathematics and Science landscape.
“No student wants to become a teacher but by default some of you will become teachers in thisevery field,” the Director of Examinations, Logistics and Certification, Examination Council of Lesotho (Ecol) Ntaeboso Phenduka said.
Phenduka said that there is a lot that teachers contribute to the Mathematics and Science department.
He, moreover, thanked the sponsors in the work they have done to see to the success of the event.
The Director of Examinations shared and cautioned the students on of forgery of certificates adding Ecol is facing unprecedented forgery of late.
He said that he was disappointed one of his students was caught in the forgery web.
He urged the students not to take up on the forgery hype and similarly he encouraged them to warn others to forgo the practice because they would face jail time.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Secondary Education, Dr Jone Maole, graced the occasion and parted some seeds of wisdom with the young boys and girls.
“Maths and Science are fundamental subjects in a lot of careers because they are practical and can be applied in everyday life,” Maole said.
Maole said that the teachers have been equipped with gadgets to help assist them in the teaching of these subjects. The CEO emphasized on the how expensive STEM subjects are and the step that the ministry is taking into simulation teaching.
The ministry is also working tirelessly in the encouragement of girls to fully take part in Mathematics and Science from an early age, Maole concluded.
