10 Apr 2013

Eight primary schools in the Kgalagadi South constituency have no electricity.

Responding to a parliamentary question, the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said the schools were Kokotsha, Kisa, Maleshe, Maralaleng, Vaalhoek, Ghakhibana, Khawa and Struizendum.

 However, Ms Tshireletso said she expected that all the schools would be electrified by August  because electrification works were already on going at Ghakhibana, Khawa and Struizendum primary schools.

She said the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) had already been paid for the remaining five schools and she anticipated that works would commence in the said schools before the end of May.

She highlighted that day to day teaching of the core curriculum subjects was not affected by the absence of electricity. However, she explained that the students in the said schools had been at a disadvantage, as they were unable to fully participate in programmes such as Talk Back, which required audio-visual equipment.

In total, she noted that there were 25 primary schools in the Kgalagadi South and all had access to at least one computer or laptop adding that the source of power was solar panels where there was no BPC power.

Kgalagadi South MP, Mr John Toto had asked the minister to state the number and names of primary schools that had no electricity in Kgalagadi South constituency and when they would be electrified.

Mr Toto had also asked the minister if she was aware that the absence of electricity in these schools affected day to day learning such as television lessons programmes.

In addition, he wanted the minister to state the number of primary schools that had computers and those without. ENDS