27 Oct 2015

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Slumber Tsogwane, has applauded Legothwana residents who started their primary school on a voluntary basis in 1979.

Officially opening Legothwana Primary School in the Ngami Sub-district recently, Minister Tsogwane said the school was ran by the community from 1979 to 1996 but closed in 1997 after Ngamiland District was hard hit by the Cattle Lung Disease (CBPP) in 1996 since they relied heavily on cattle. 

He explained that the school was then re-opened in 2007 under government.

Mr Tsogwane said residents of Legothwane were a true reflection of a patriotic people. He thanked teachers for sacrificing to teach at a school, which had tented classrooms and teachers quarters and yet produced good academic results.

He said his ministry was committed to help the school although Legothwana remained ungazzeted. 

For her part, the school’s Parents Teacher Association (PTA) chairperson, Ms Oatweng Modisane, lamented that the tents facilities in their school were not conducive for teaching and living as they became cold in winter and unbearable in summer, therefore teachers resorted to outside teaching. 

A former student, Ms Keromang Nyame narrated that the school was formed by a group of six men with some now deceased

She said the men provided their services on a voluntary basis with a meager charge of 35 thebe, but at times went unpaid due to the people’s poor conditions.

Ms Nyame noted that the school was recognised by the North West District Council (NWDC) in 1986 and participated in inter school activities and had Tirelo Sechaba participants.

The school head, Ms Gakeolathe Maphane said the first batch of Standard Seven of 2012 made 72 per cent pass while those of 2014 scored 78 per cent pass which shows progress over the years. Ends