24 Jun 2020

Chief Education Officer for Tutume region, Ms Khumoyame Mosetlha has advised boarding schools in the region not to compromise on social distance practices despite challenges of space.

Ms Mosetlha said in an interview on June 23 after inspecting John Nswazwi Junior Secondary School, which has a boarding facility.

The official said the schools had faced challenges of accommodation for boarding pupils as they had influx of boarders, as the school admits pupils from areas such as Matsitama, Mosu, Mokubilo, among others.

She however pointed out that the situation at the school was conducive for learning as they had created a temporary shelter that would house the lockers.

Ms Mosetlha added that the arrangement had created enough space for the boarders not to be placed in a compromising situation regarding social distancing.

Furthermore, she noted that they had provided the pupils with more mattresses so that no one would be sharing a bed during this period and in the future.

Ms Mosetlha highlighted that all the 57 schools in the region had on Monday reopened without any challenges.

The official said from the 57, 43 were primary while 14 were secondary schools, including Nata senior and McConnel College in Tutume.

She thus pointed out that 17 of the 43 primary schools were not on double shift while the remaining ones were shifting.

She also noted that only three out 14 secondary schools were not shifting classes.

In addition, she stated that on the first day, a good number of schools were sanitising pupils while a few provided warm water for washing the pupils’ hands.

She nonetheless commended some parents and teachers associations, which came forth to assist the schools in adhering to the set health protocols such as preparing for warm water provision.

Regarding shortage of furniture in many schools, Ms Mosetlha said they had made arrangements with the Tutume Sub- districy Council to allocate maintenance money to primary schools to repair desks since many of them needed to have their table tops replaced only.

She further said they had a challenge at Manxotae Primary School, where there were no desk frames. However, they managed to get assistance at Nata primary and the pupils would be provided with desks for individual pupils. ENDS