09/12/2025
MOTION PASSED TODAY 09/12/2025
Motion: Introduction of First Aid and CPR Lessons in Primary Schools within GABORONE
Proposed by: Hon. Councillor Tunah T. Moalosi
1. Emergencies such as choking, fainting, injuries, and cardiac arrest can occur at any time and place, including in schools and homes.
2. Early response through basic First Aid and CPR can save lives before professional medical assistance arrives.
3. Many children spend considerable time with elderly family members or caregivers at home, and acquiring First Aid and CPR skills will enable them to respond promptly and possibly save lives.
4. Building a culture of safety awareness and preparedness among children enhances community resilience and responsibility.
FURTHER NOTES:
- Several countries across Africa and beyond have successfully introduced age-appropriate First Aid and CPR lessons in primary schools, particularly for upper classes.
- Teaching these skills promotes empathy, discipline, confidence, and responsibility among
learners.
COUNCIL THEREFORE RESOLVES THAT:
1. The Gaborone City Council, through the Education Department, collaborates with the Ministry of Education and Skills Development and the Botswana Red Cross Society to introduce First Aid and
CPR lessons for upper classes in all primary schools within the City.
2. Relevant stakeholders, including teachers and school health officers, be trained and equipped to facilitate these lessons effectively.
3. The initiative be piloted in selected schools and subsequently rolled out across all primary schools in Gaborone.
MOTIVATION:
Equipping learners with essential life-saving skills will not only enhance their safety within the school environment but also empower them to assist family members especially the elderly and people living with disabilities during emergencies.
Another key advantage of developing a society with CPR and First Aid knowledge is the ability to respond effectively during road accidents and other public emergencies. Too often, people stand by
helplessly because they lack the skills to intervene leading to preventable deaths.
Even one child equipped with First Aid or CPR knowledge can make the difference between life and death, not only in schools but anywhere in the Community
I SUBMIT
