07 Apr 2019

Ministry of Basic Education has visited Sebego, Sesu and Selokolela primary schools and it was apparent that the schools faced challenges.

Responding to a parliamentary question recently, Assistant Minister of Basic Education Mr Thato Kwerepe said the challenges included the provision of revision and learning materials as well as  leadership and monitoring skills among staff members.

He explained that at Sebego primary there had been a challenge of classroom space, which their sister Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had partly addressed through the provision of a porta cabin and refurbishment of another structure, as currently two classes remained taught outside.

“Selokolela primary does not have shortage of classrooms and housing,” he said, adding that another major concern contributing to the schools poor performance was lack of parental involvement in education.

Mr Kwerepe said the ministry had initiated several strategies to address the issues, including the use of Pupils Academic Empowerment Strategy (PAES) ‘which empowers learners to access content and allows them to study at their own rate, including in groups and outside of schools’. 

This came along with a review of lesson planning to focus on specific learning objectives and outcomes.

MoBE has also rotated some staff members to improve teacher focus and impact on school culture, he said.

In addition at Sesu primary the ministry had initiated coaching and mentoring of staff and the school  is now the most improved school in the region from 20 per cent in 2017 to 61.3 per cent in 2018.

“This mentoring will be undertaken in other primary schools in the constituency next term,” he explained.

Further, Mr Kwerepe said the schools continued to rejuvenate the Parents Teachers Associations to encourage greater parental involvement in education, and appealed to MPs to encourage their constituents to get involved in their children’s education.

Kanye South legislator, Mr Abram Kesupile had asked the minister if he was aware that Sebego, Sesu and Selokolela primary schools had a history of poor performance compared to others in the Kanye-South constituency as judged through their ranking of PSLE results.

He said if the minister was aware, he should explain the causes for sustained poor performance and to state what they were doing to bring about change that would extirpate the ugly history. ENDS