09 Jun 2020

 Some Serowe Sub-district councillors on June 8 rejected the chairperson’s report saying it did not reflect the situation on the ground.

 Briefing the council this week, the chairperson, Mr Lesedi Phuthego had said all the 31 primary schools and two RADS hostels had been fumigated as instructed by the Ministry of Basic Education.

 Mr Phuthego said schools had been supplied with soap, sanitizers, toilet paper and dust bins.

 In addition, maintenance and desludging of toilets as well as installation of hand wash basins had been done.

He said in some institutions such as Thabala Primary School, Mmashoro Junior Secondary School and Mothamo Junior Secondary School maintenance was still ongoing but there were toilets available for use by both learners and staff.

He said in the effort to comply with the Covid-19 safety protocols given the overcrowding that previously existed, schools would operate under a double shift programme with an average class size of 25 pupils.

Pointing out that the 49 days of extreme social distancing halted "small man" businesses such as taxi operators, hair salons and street hawkers.

As a result, Mr Phuthego said government decided to assist those who qualified for food hampers and toiletry.

He said the assessment in  the sub-district commenced on April 10 and "this enabled the department to provide food baskets to those that were eligible as per the assessment outcomes".

However, some councilors said the chairperson’s speech lacked crucial information.

They also said the speech   did not reflection the situation on the ground with regard to preparedness of schools and distribution of food hampers.

Tshimoyapula/ Majwanaadipitse councillor Mr Katholo Tapologo said it was surprising that the chairperson’s speech painted a bright picture about the re-opening of schools and yet some had not complied with COVID-19 health procedures.

For example, he said, Tshimoyapula Primary School was still under renovation and learners only came to school to idle under tree shades which had not been captured in the speech.
He said Mr Phuthego’s speech gave the impression that all  schools had reopened. Ends