05 Aug 2013

Three classes are accommodated in the mud classroom block, which was built in 1968 as a community initiated project at Artesia Primary School, says Assistant Minister of Local government and Rural Development, Mr Olebile Gaborone.

Responding to a question in Parliament, Mr Gaborone said these mud classroom blocks had not shown any structural defects despite having been in use since 1968. He said his ministry, through the Kgatleng District Council, would continue to maintain these classrooms in order to keep them in good state of repair.

He said the council would also continue to monitor these classroom blocks for any signs of structural problems and currently there were no plans to demolish the classroom blocks and they would continue to be utilised in order to avoid teaching some classes under trees.

Mr Gaborone said, however, when funds were available, all mud structures would be replaced with conventional classrooms constructed with brick and mortar structures.

Member of Parliament for Kgatleng West, Mr Gilbert Mangole had asked the minister when the mud classrooms blocks at Artesia primary School were built and state the number of classes accommodated therein.

Mr Mangole also wanted the minister to state whether he can guarantee the safety of the pupils for continued use of the said block and when he intends to demolish and replace the block in question.  ENDS