28 Jan 2020

The Member of Parliament for Moshupa/Manyana, Mr Karabo Gare has pleaded with the management of Mogale Junior Secondary School in Maokane to consider utilising procurement provision to speedily address challenges at the school.

Mr Gare said this in response to grievances covering lack of stationery, shortage of classrooms and accommodation for teachers, and boarding facilities raised by the school at a meet and greet session recently.

He urged the school management to take advantage of the provisions in the procurement laws, to address the dire situation immediately.

Mr Gare, who is also Assistant Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, said it was disheartening to hear that a hostel that was intended to cater for 192 pupils was now accommodating 372 pupils.  He said the situations was unbearable for the learners, looking at the deplorable state of the ablutions.

He promised do his best to use available resources to address the situation.  “I felt it was crucial for me to visit the school as it enrolls pupils from my constituency, including Ralekgetho and Pitseng, not only that, but also as a concerned Motswana, and a representative of the nation,” he said.

Mr Gare noted that, it was crucial for the government to care for learners as they were the future of the country, adding that Botswana was reliant on youth, who make 60 per cent of the population.  

He said, after the recent release of JC results, he felt compelled to visit the school to understand its challenges to help map a way forward for easier operations.

For his part, Mogale JSS School Head, Mr Paul Cloete appreciated the MP’s visit, saying it meant a lot to them.  He said the school had seen exponential learner population growth and was now sitting at 937, operating on the grounds of a 15 stream school.

Mr Cloete said increase therefore put pressure on the school facilities.

The school operates at 24 stream, with nine Form 1 classes totaling 356 pupils, eight Form 2 classes totaling 350 pupils, and seven Form 3 classes totaling 266 learners”.

He said the school was therefore in immediate need of accommodation for the both classroom and hostel space as of the 937 learners , over 700 were boarders, leading to each dormitory housing about 18 pupils instead of eight.

“This is a serious problem, we are sometimes forced to accommodate nine classes in one hall for teaching sessions during the rainy season,” he said. He said the other challenge was teachers accommodation as some of them were accommodated in the 15 asbestos houses.

Other issues include maintenance, water and stationery shortage. ENDS