27 Feb 2013

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso says she is aware of the bat infestation problem that has led to the closure of some classrooms at Phase IV, Moremogolo, Mokaleng and Phatsimo primary schools in Francistown South constituency.

Ms Tshireletso said through the Francistown City Council, the ministry was carrying out renovations in Phase IV Primary School.  In addition, she said renovations were also ongoing at Phatlogo Primary School in Francistown East constituency and that “council plans to undertake renovations in the other 20 primary schools, which are also infested by bats, effective March 2013.”

“The works being undertaken by council crews include removal of ceilings to let out the bats, rebuilding beam filling on internal partitioning walls and replacing ceilings,” she explained. The works in the schools, Ms Tshireletso said, were expected to take three weeks and the expected date of completion was February 28, 2013. She added that the renovation process would harm the bats as they were not protected species.

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi had wanted to know whether the minister was aware that bats infestation in primary schools in the Francistown South constituency had led to closure of some classrooms. Mr Mmolotsi also wanted to know if the minister was aware that council had been instructed not to kill bats because they were protected species, and if it was wise to protect bats at the expense of children education. ENDS