14 Jun 2020

Schools in Maun shared their preparedness to re-open during a tour by Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane and the District Emergency Operations Centre Team. The June 11 tour was to appreciate the district’s response to COVID-19.

Tshwaragano Junior Secondary School head, Ms Linnet Setumo, said the school was ready and had installed hand washing stations and two sick bays.

She said double shifts would be introduced for other classes except Form Three. Botswana Wildlife Training Institute (BWTI) acting principal, Mr Mpiga Mangubuli, said students would not be sharing rooms because there was enough accommodation while Mathiba Primary School head, Mr Noah Kebafitlhetse said they had a large population of 1 325 pupils.

He said 16 pit latrines for both boys and girls were available, but they were not enough.

Mr Kebafitlhetse said about 11 classes had to share classrooms through double shift and outdoor teaching areas.

Other challenges, he said, was shortage of thermometers and text books thus posing a challenge in observing social distancing.

For his part, Maun Senior Secondary School head, Ms Lekala Legwaila said the school had installed one water basin and another under construction.

She said social distancing in classes was the new normal.

Ms Legwaila decried shortage of manpower for screening purposes and dysfunctional thermometers.

“Some toilets are out order and some dormitories do not have partitioning,” stated Ms Legwaila who said maintenance was overdue.

North West district deputy commissioner, Ms Goitseone Nkwe-Tabane, informed the Vice President that Maun Senior Secondary School form 5s opened on June 9 instead of June 2 because the school had not complied.

Ms Nkwe-Tabane said the school received a subvention of P7 200 000 on May 29, which affected preparedness by June 2, adding that the entire district worked together to ensure its re-opening. ENDS