05 Jun 2018

The Ministry of Basic Education is aware that Kutlwano Junior Secondary School in Gweta was designed as a nine stream school and now operates as a 12 stream school with enrolment of 455 students.

Minister of Basic Education, Mr Bagalatia Arone said the school had a provision of eight classrooms and two science laboratories  which were inadequate for the student population .

In addition, he said the school had a shortage of housing with a staff compliment of 38 teachers but only 21 housing units.

Mr Arone noted that his ministry was currently undertaking a mapping exercise to take account of urbanisation and other issues affecting school enrollments to allow re-prioritising of the country’s needs.

He said the ministry was looking into alternative and more economic ways to provide infrastructure, including the possible erection of pre-fabricated structures.

Once the exercise was completed for all schools,  “I shall see how best we can assist Kutlwano Junior Secondary School with both additional teaching space and housing,” said Mr Arone.

He said the lack of an environment conducive to teaching and learning could impact negatively on results, adding that his ministry was committed to address the issues through regular maintenance and the use of alternative funding models.

Nata-Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga had wanted to know if the minister was aware that Kutlwano Junior Secondary School in Gweta had a serious shortage of classrooms, teacher’s houses and laboratories, and if so, he wanted the minister to state when the situation would be rectified.

He also wanted to know whether it does not affect school results. Ends