17 Feb 2015

The Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso, has confirmed to Parliament that some primary schools children in Letlhakane returned home as school authorities were unable to admit them due to some schools having exceeded their maximum admission numbers.

However, she stated that the concerned school heads were subsequently advised to address the problem and admit all returned students and such students returned to schools in Letlhakane. She stated that there was shortage of classrooms in three out of five of the primary schools in Letlhakane.

Ms Tshireletso said when all three of these schools had full enrollment of 880, the backlog of classrooms in Seasole Primary School was seven, in Mokane the backlog was two whilst for Supang it stood at 11.

She said the construction of additional classrooms would be done through the backlog eradication programme in the following priority list; Supang, Seasole, Mokane. The assistant minister stated that Supang had already been prioritized as number three on the district prioritised list.

She further stated that the ministry through Central District Council, had no plans to construct a new primary school in Letlhakane but the proposal would be submitted amongst the priority projects for consideration during NDP 11.

Boteti East MP, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked her if she was aware that hundreds of students have been returned home as primary schools in Letlhakane could no longer admit them since they had reached their maximum admission numbers.

He also wanted to know the ministry’s plans to address the situation and if the minister does not see the need to build another primary school to accommodate the growing demand in the area. ENDS