SECOND CHANCE

Youth advocate and University of Botswana student Marang Lemeni has appealed to the government to consider free re-registration for students who fail their junior certificate (Form 3) exams.Lemeni, who is also the Founder of Teens on Track, a youth-led organisation that supports school-going children, says the move will help reduce the number of young people who drop out of school due to a lack of money.She said many children, especially those in rural areas, are unable to return to school after failing because their parents cannot afford the Botswana Examinations Council (BEC) re-registration fees.“Every year around this time, students are under a lot of pressure as exams begin. Some are already worried that if they fail, they will have no second chance,” she said. “I have met many who lost confidence because of this fear.”For the Junior Certificate Examination (JCE), students pay a registration fee of P20, with an additional P100 per subject. For the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE), the registration fee is P82, while the cost per subject varies depending on the number of subjects selected; one subject costs P329, two subjects P576, three subjects P823, four subjects P1,070, and five subjects P1,317, with fees increasing accordingly for additional subjects.“These fees can be a significant burden for many families, especially in rural areas”, she said.Lemeni explained that her call for reform comes from personal experience.“I come from a family where no one passed Form 3 or Form 5. I had to work hard, believe in myself and in God to break that chain. Failure is not the end. It’s just a lesson and a new beginning.”Through her work with Teens on Track, Lemeni has met several teenagers in Sekakangwe, Marobela, and Kgalagadi who have been at home for years after failing Form 3.“Some are only 15 or 16 years old. They are eager to return to school, but money stands in their way. Others end up in early marriages or in the streets,” she said.She believes that no child should be denied education because of poverty. Lemeni has therefore urged the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Child Welfare to introduce free re-registration or at least provide financial assistance to those from poor families.She also encouraged the Botswana Open University (BOU) and Brigades to open more opportunities for non-academic students.With examinations already in progress, Lemeni’s organisation has been running motivation sessions and study clinics to help students prepare mentally and emotionally.“We focus on motivation, time management, and building confidence,” she said. “We tell them that their marks don’t define them. There is life beyond the exam room.”Teens on Track also partners with teachers and guidance departments to reach more schools. “We aim to build resilience in students before results come out. Many fail once and think that’s the end of life,” Lemeni said.Lemeni further called for a review of Botswana’s education system, which she believes is too rigid and outdated. “Our education system was designed for a different generation,” she said. “Not every learner is academic. Some are creative, athletic, or technical. We must allow them to grow in their own strengths.”She suggested that schools introduce more vocational training, creative arts, and entrepreneurship subjects, which could help students find direction early and reduce dropout rates. “I strongly believe in an education system that recognizes talent beyond books,” she added.Founded in 2023, Teens on Track runs several initiatives, including charity drives, mentorship programmes, leadership clubs, and counselling sessions.The group comprises young volunteers who dedicate their time to serving others. “We do it because we care,” Lemeni said.“If we want a better future for Botswana, we must give every child a chance to dream again, even those who did not pass.”

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SECOND CHANCE