14 Mar 2018

Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development says Mokubilo Primary School was last maintained in the 2013/14 financial year and could not be accommodated in the 2018/19 financial year.

Ms Botlogile Tshireletso said priority for the 2018/19 financial year was given to schools which were worse off.

She said Mokubilo Primary School has 21 teacher’s quarters, an old administration block and 20 classrooms.

“In 2008, the school benefitted from the Backlog Eradication Programme through construction of 18 waterborne toilets, four classrooms and eight LA2 houses,” she said.

Ms Tshireletso also said furniture for reception class at Mokubilo was being procured and expected to be delivered before the end of March 2018.

She said with regards to furniture for the rest of the school, the school head had been advised to maintain some of the broken furniture using the handyman funds, and that additional furniture would be procured funds permitting for the sub district during the 2018/19 financial year which Mokubilo would benefit from.

She further said she was aware that the kitchen and some classrooms did not have electricity due to vandalised wiring, and that the rectification of the vandalised items would be undertaken using the in-house crews during the 2018/19 financial year.

“Lack of electricity in these facilities does not affect the learning environment as the gas stoves are being used for cooking and other classrooms have electricity,” she said.

She said she was also aware that two pit latrine blocks were old and full, and that council was in the process of outsourcing emptying them.

Ms Tshireletso noted that the position of government was to phase out the old pit latrines found in primary schools.

“However, some pit latrines will be kept under care and maintenance to serve as backup in the event there is water shortage,” she said.

Member of Parliament for Boteti East, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe had asked the minister to update Parliament on the status of Mokubilo Primary School regarding the maintenance programme of the school, teachers’ accommodation, office space and classrooms, furniture for reception class and the whole school, electricity in the kitchen and classrooms.

MP Lelatisitswe also asked if the situation had a negative impact on learning or staff at the school, and also wanted an update on the old toilets and whether it was true they were full and dangerous to pupil’s life.

He also enquired on government position regarding the usage of old pit latrine toilets. Ends