On 5 February 2016, DTC Botswana unveiled sponsorship to the tune of P412, 319.04 (Four Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Three Hundred and Nineteen Pula, Four Thebe) to Botswana Society for the Deaf’s Francistown Centre.

Botswana Society for the Deaf (BSD) was established in 1979 as a non-profit, non-governmental, charitable organisation with an aim of fulfilling the needs of people with hearing impairment. BSD is affiliated to Botswana Council for the Disabled and Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations (BOCONGO). The Society is managed by the community through the Board of Governors consisting of eight (8) members. The BSD Patron is His Excellency, Dr. Festus Gontebanye Mogae.

BSD is responsible to ensure that programme activities geared towards the deaf are implemented. The Society operates Ramotswa Centre for Deaf Education (RCDE); and Francistown Centre for Deaf Education (FCDE).

Francistown Centre for Deaf Education is a residential school located in the city of Francistown with a student population of 106 students and 55 teachers and support staff. It accommodates students from the northern parts of the country. DTC Botswana has sponsored the centre with educational equipment (smart boards and sign language books) to address the educational needs at the institution.

The smart board is very helpful during teaching and learning as the deaf learners learn visually. The gadgets help the learners to learn on their own when the teacher is not around. Smart boards can be used for any form of teaching and learning.  The smart board technology enables educators to personalise learning for students and this remains the core basis to sound education.

The technology also enables educators to use various methods in the teaching and learning process to significantly improve student engagement and attention by appealing to the sensory and memory learning abilities of every student.

DTC Botswana is excited to partner with Botswana Society for the Deaf and the sponsorship will go a long way in alleviating educational equipment shortages thereby enhancing learning and teaching.