05 Jan 2016

The Member of Parliament for Bobonong, Mr Shaw Kgathi has expressed concern about the poor school results recorded by schools in his constituency.

Mr Kgathi noted that junior secondary school results were satisfactory since 2009, but dropped drastically to below 50 per cent in 2012 to date.

Mr Kgathi, who is also the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security was briefing constituents residing outside the are on December 31. 

He said the impressive performance was only maintained up until 2011 with Molalatau JSS recording the highest pass rate of 81 per cent followed by Mosetlha with 80 per cent.

The MP said since 2012 Mosetlha JSS pass rate was 39 per cent and 33 per cent in 2013 while Tsetsebye was lowest with 19 per cent. Mr Kgathi said as for Matshekge Senior Secondary School, the resulting were disappointing as they never came close to their target.

He said the interpretation of the results could mean children were playful, parents have neglected their children or teachers were not committed to their work.

The MP challenged Parents Teachers Associations to find ways of delivering quality results.

Notwithstanding that, he said the quality of primary school results in Bobirwa continue to be impressive both in terms of quality and numbers that enrol for Primary School Leaving Examinations and commended Mabolwe Primary School for the most improved school as compared to previous years. 

He commended Lentswe-le-Moriti, Gobojango, Madikwe, Motlhabaneng, Rasetimela, Mafetsakgang, Modisaotsile, Semolale and Molalatau for quality output. He challenged secondary schools to up their socks since the results from primary schools were satisfactory.

He also noted that there were challenges facing the education sector such as teenage pregnancy.

He said from July to September 2015 a total of 108 girls dropped out of school due to pregnancy and advised parents to guide their children about the dangers of indulging in early sexual activities.

Mr Kgathi also noted that some teachers have overstayed in one school with some staying over 10 years.  He said the other challenge relates to the many vacancies that take long to be filled.

He said water shortage in Matshekge was also a contributing factor, but said he was hopeful that the situation would improve as the water pipe connection to Thune Dam was completed. On development issues, Mr Kgathi said the fog spraying of Sefhophe-Bobonong road has been completed, and that the dry grading of the Lepokole, Zanzibar-Lekkerport, Motlhabaneng, Tsetsebye-Moletemane via Majwetshipa were all complete. 

He said the Thune Dam has been completed and that associated works and water treatment plant have commenced to supply water to all Bobirwa villages.

One of the residents, Mr Wonder Masebola said for schools to perform better they have to work harder. Ends