10 Oct 2019

Like any other graduate, Bachelor of Science degree holder in agriculture economics, Mr Phemelo Kwagoyang, 29, dreamt of a bright future with  a prestigious  job and a hefty salary.

However, the reality is very different as the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN)’s qualification gathers dust in a grey envelope.

Upon realising that graduate unemployment was a reality, Mr Kwagoyang said he was left with no choice but to seek any means to eke a living.

After moving from pillar to post in search of employment, he found refuge in his passion and will to empower young people through knowledge, hence the birth of Efficiency Tutorial Academy.

In a recent interview, the energetic young man, who hails from Serowe, said he joined forces with the duo of Mr Nicholas Koogane and Mr Moranodi Moeti to channel their knowledge into empowering other young people and earn a living in the process.

Together they settled for the idea of establishing a tutorial centre in Serowe in 2015, through funding from the three individual members and support from family and friends.

He said upon realising that the business had the potential to grow, the trio decided to open another branch in Palapye in 2017, which was followed by the Mahalapye branch in 2018.

He said with three branches in full swing, the trio decided to each run their own branch independently, hence he ended up in Mahalapye.

Efficiency Tutorial Academy offers lessons to secondary school pupils and out of school youth in English, mathematics and science.

As the numbers of those seeking lessons increased, Mr Kwagoyang said he engaged Mr Samuel Stemere, who is also a BUAN graduate.

He said he was impressed with the quality of his produce, revealing that in 2018, supplementing pupils and those who were sitting for their BGCSE for the first time managed an overall pass rate of 72 per cent.

“I am happy to inform you that some of my pupils who were supplementing have managed to improve their results and qualified to be admitted at various tertiary institutions,” he enthused.

Despite the positives that the academy offers to the youth, Mr Kwagoyang has noted that a large portion of the community was yet to take cognizance of what they were doing.

He said only a small number of parents were involved in their children’s education, adding that the majority were of the view that teaching was the responsibility of teachers, and there was nothing that could be done for a child who had failed while under the watchful eye of a qualified person.

“I am driven by passion to continue with what I am doing. Since establishing the tutorial centre, I have realised that there is a dire need of what I offer more than I had expected.

The service that I offer will contribute immensely and positively to the future of the young generation. I am offering them a second opportunity towards realising their dreams,” he said.

Despite the positive output and prospects for growth, Mr Kwagoyang said like any other business undertaking, Efficiency Tutorial Academy had its own challenges.

He cited transport as a challenge for learners located outside Mahalapye, saying they either arrived late or were more focused on knocking off early.

He said another challenge was late payment or failure to pay by some parents.

“We are operating from rented premises and also have to pay for other amenities like water and electricity,” he said.

“Imagine having to terminate the services offered to a young person who is excelling only because a parent is failing to pay,” he lamented.

He, however, said he has never terminated services to any pupil whose parents were not paying, adding that some have passed with good marks and were now at tertiary, but still their parents did not see the need to settle their debts.

Mr Kwagoyang has appealed to graduates to utilise their knowledge positively and realise their dreams.
ENDS