21 Feb 2018

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Frans Van Der Westhuizen has explained that Gasiko and Letlole primary schools have old furniture for teachers in offices and classrooms.

Answering a question in Parliament from the MP for Gabane/Mmankgodi, Major General Pius Mokgware on February 20, Mr Van Der Westhuizen said in order to address the problem, the Kweneng District Council had included funds for the replacement of such furniture in its budget estimates for the financial year 2018/19.

He explained that the current status of teachers’ furniture was such that Letlole Primary School had 24 teachers, 23 of whom had chairs and 21 had tables.

He said three tables and one chair would be procured before the end of the current financial year.

As for Gasiko Primary School, the assistant minister said the school had 25 teachers and added that all had chairs and tables.

Maj. Gen. Mokgware had asked the minister when Gasiko and Letlole primary schools would be supplied with new furniture for staff in their offices and in classrooms.

Mr Van Der Westhuizen said he was aware that most schools in the Gabane/Mmankgodi constituency had not been catered for toddler toilets, and that there was shortage of furniture for pre-primary classes.

He said he was also aware that some pre-primary classes in the constituency did not meet the set standards as set by the District Council.

He said most of the standards like modification of classrooms and provision of age appropriate chairs, playground equipment, sick bed/bays, utensils, learning materials and toys had been met.

He further stated that the standards not met were for provision of toddler toilets and tables which would be addressed in the ongoing and future backlog eradication projects.

He added that out of the eight schools in the constituency, seven had pre-school classes while the supply of tables and chairs in those schools was done in September 2017.

Maj. Gen. Mokgware had asked the minister if he was aware that in most schools in the Gabane/Mmankgodi constituency, toddler toilets were not catered for as well as furniture for such kids.    

He also asked the minister if he was aware that the schools with provision for pre-school service do not meet the set standards for pre-school kids set by the District Council. Ends