03 Feb 2016

The government has acceded to calls by residents of Nxaraga in the North West District to establish a school in their village.

A satellite school has been opened at the village beginning this year thanks to the Ministry of Education and Skills Development in collaboration with the North West District Council.

Residents welcomed the development and showered the government with accolades for responding positively to their plea. They said their children have been suffering over the years as they had to travel 18km to Komana Primary School.
“Our prayers have been answered as we had long requested the school in our village and we thank the government,” said Kgosi Moatlhodi Motlhabane.

He said although the school opened late, the academic performance of their children would improve. The pupils were transported by truck on a daily basis by the government, and at times would miss classes if the truck had a breakdown.

It was also reported that some pupils absconded from school while most performed badly because of lack of parental support. The Village Development Committee chairperson, Mr Geoffrey Manja explained that parents were reluctant to attend school meetings because of the distance.

He hoped things would change now as they have welcomed the new school and promised to support the school management. He said the school, which is temporarily situated at the clinic plot, accommodates Standard One up to five. Standard Six and seven pupils have been transferred to Kareng boarding school.

Mr Manja pointed out that the council has written to Water Utilities Corporation to request that the school be supplied with water through bowsing as the village has been experiencing water shortage. The school’s classes are made up of tents and has no blackboards. Teachers use manila papers instead.

The court clerk, Ms Monica Ndhowe said the rainy season presents a challenge. She related that heavy showers recently destroyed all the tents.

She revealed that relevant authorities have promised to put up porta cabins to address the matter. Teachers are accommodated at Nxaraga Rural Training Centre.

However, some teachers at the school said a lot has to be done to ensure that the pupils adapt well to the new environment. They pointed out that pupils are still lagging behind in terms of studies as they used to miss classes. They however believe that they would catch up and perform better in good time.

The area councillor Mr Morolong Mosimanyana indicated that government plans to construct a fully-fledged primary school in the year 2017/18. Ends