12 Dec 2016

The construction of 11 staff housing units at the newly Maitlamo Junior Secondary School is reported to be progressing well.

The housing units which are constructed under the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) are expected to be completed and handed over to the Ministry of Basic Education by April 2017.

The project was built in two phases and the first phase was the construction of academic facilities, while the second phase entails staff housse.

In an interview, the school head, Mr Peter Mafokate said the engaged contractor had so far made a commendable progress hoping that the project would be completed within time and budget.

He also appreciated that the Department of Technical Services in the region was supervising and monitoring the project.

The project is expected to produce 44 staff houses. “I am impressed with the project performance as it is progressing well and we are hopeful that it would be completed by 2017 as expected,” she said. Mr Mafokote explained that when the school opened its doors, it had only one double story flat, which comprised of eight units of houses and that a provisional arrangement was made to house other staff at BOCODOL premises and other sister schools temporarily.

The school has 39 staff including the school head and his deputy. The school head is impressed that the issue of shortage of accommodation would be the thing of the past amongst his staff.

However, the school opened doors May this year admitting the first batch of form Ones who were housed at Sedie Junior Secondary School for first term. It was constructed to rationalise number of students to relief congestion in existing junior secondary schools in Maun.

It was reported that student population in Maun had grown and as a result, overcrowding in schools had led to negative impacts such as compromised quality education, pressure on classrooms and teachers’ accommodation, amongst others.

As the school expands, it means they would need more teachers and houses, but Mr Mafokate pointed out that they had made request to be staffed with more 25 teachers to match the intake of Form One batch next year.

He was optimistic that the ministry would work around the clock to ensure they secure more housing units for the coming teachers. ENDS