27 May 2013

Government will not pay allowances to members of Parents, Teachers Associations (PTAs), says the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Olebile Gaborone.

Addressing residents of Mmatshumo in Boteti South constituency recently, Mr Gaborone said it would be unfortunate to remunerate parents for helping teachers to educate their children.

He said the government was already spending a lot of money to ensure that all children have decent education.

He urged parents to work with teachers and ensure that their children perform as expected.

Some parents had requested the government to consider paying allowance to those serving on PTA committees.

They said PTA members spend a lot of time attending to issues of the committee hence they should be remunerated. 

Mr Gaborone also chastised parents for selling alcohol and drugs to children.

On allegations that food basket beneficiaries trade their food for alcohol, the assistant minister said they should desist from doing that as they might be cut off from the programme.

The VDC chairperson, Mr Daniel Mothomelwa had earlier told the assistant minister that there were some beneficiaries who were trading their food for alcohol.

In some instances, Mr Mothomelwa said the elderly end up starving since their children sell their food for alcohol. ENDS