20 May 2020

The installation of washing basins and renovations of ablution facilities in 36 schools out of 53 schools in Mahalapye sub-district has been completed.

The sub-district council chairperson, Councillor Banthasetse Merementsi explained in an interview that following the establishment of COVID-19 pandemic protocols by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministries of Basic Education and Local Government and Rural Development met and through local authorities, engaged local contractors to upgrade the schools facilities to satisfy the set protocols.

"We engaged local contractors to install wash basins, renovate ablution facilities and construct new toilets where necessary in all the 53 schools in our sub-district," he said.

By May 15, Cllr Merementsi said, the work in 16 schools was 100 per cent complete, whilst in 20 schools it was completed on May 15. 

"We have done inspections on a number of schools. I personally went to schools in Sefhare/Ramokgonami and I have also covered Mahalapye East constituency schools. My secretary was covering schools in the Shoshong area, but we found that the work is quite satisfactory," he added.

Last Friday, he said the work in 12 schools was at between 80 and 89 per cent complete, adding that the council was expecting the contractors to complete the work during this week. 

He also noted that the work in other three schools was at around 70 per cent complete, whilst nothing had been done yet at Kodibeleng Primary School, since the contractor abandoned the project last minute, saying the payment was low.

However, Cllr Merementsi said the local council team would be engaged to do the work at Kodibeleng, stressing that by the time schools open on June 2, all the work in all the 53 schools would be completed. 

Regarding, water supply in schools, he said there was water in all the schools in the sub-district, noting though that the only water supply challenge was at Tirelo Primary School at Dibete.

He said Water Utilities Corporation had vowed to ensure the school continuously had adequate water supply since it had an overhead water tank. Ends