30 May 2016

Kweneng district commissioner, Dr Temba Mmusi says he will plead with the business community to assist Macheng Junior Secondary School in Sojwe with mattresses as they sleep on bare metal stretchers.

In an interview after touring the school on May 26, Dr Mmusi said shortage of mattresses needed urgent attention, particularly that winter has arrived. 

Briefing Dr Mmusi, Macheng deputy school head, Mr Alford Ranko said their catchment area covered Ngware, Hatsalatladi, Botlhapatlou, Lephepe and Loologane and most of the students from those areas are boarders.

He said their main challenge was desertion by students, which had proved to be difficult to address since they have shortage of transport to follow up on such students. 

Mr Ranko said they often ask for assistance from other government departments, even though he said such assistance was not always readily available as such departments also have commitments.

“We often make follow ups and engage the social welfare officers to talk to these students to come and continue with their studies through government initiatives live Back-to –school,” he said.

He cited challenges of lack of transport, which had forced teachers to use their own vehicles to rush students to the clinic.  

Mr Ranko further said that the school’s performance kept on fluctuating despite that they were trying their best as teachers. 

He raised a concern that parents never attend the school’s open days to come and discuss ways to improve the students’ performance. 

Apart from shortage of mattresses, the tour showed dilapidated classrooms and hostels, without window panes and doors.Dr Mmusi nonetheless gave the teachers a pat on the back for doing a great job despite the challenges. 

He said education was a three-legged pot and everyone should play their roles hence imploring them not to give up. Ends