02 Apr 2019

The Ministry of Basic Education has planned to refurbish Lempu Junior Secondary School hostels to engender a health-friendly environment at the institution, Vice President Mr Slumber Tsogwane has said.

  This follows last month’s outbreak of mass hysterior at the school which doctors suspect was caused by an unhealthy environment. 

   Addressing parents and teachers at the school on April 1, Mr Tsogwane said tests had found no peculiar disease leaving doctors to conclude that the environment might be responsible for the outbreak.  

 He said a budget had been presented and funds would be availed to upgrade the school during the school holidays. 

 The vice president called for professional counseling for the pupils affected by the mysterious disease which has since been termed mass hysteria.

He said professional counseling should be provided by social workers and psychologists. 

His visit to the school, he said, was to appreciate the challenges they had been facing since the  disease broke out at the institution last month.

Vice President Tsogwane said government was concerned about the situation and had acted promptly to address it. 

The vice president further urged parents, teachers and students to seek God’s intervention since the sickness was mysterious.

He said government would continue to engage with parents to map the way forward should the situation persist.

Giving an update on the issue, regional education director Mr Benson Rauwe said following the two weeks closure, the school was scheduled to re-open on March 18.

Upon the pupils’ arrival on March 17, 12 showed signs of the sickness. 

The director said they were counseled with only one remaining ill but the following day the number increased again.

Mr Rauwe said parents and local authorities were called and updated on the situation where the need serious prayers was identified.

He said all the best help was offered while some parents had since suggested that the school be closed to give children time to heal.

Vice president Tsogwane was accompanied by Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs and area MP Mr Ngaka Ngaka, Assistant Minister of Basic Education Mr Thato Kwerepe, Letlhakeng/Lephephe MP Mr Likat Kablay and other senior government officials. ends