15 Sep 2013

Mc Carthy’s Rust, a two classroom school, which goes up to Standard Three, was officially opened on September 13.

Construction of the two classroom school by Reem Construction started in September 2009 and was handed over to Kgalagadi District Council in December 2010. The two classrooms cost the Kgalagadi District Council P2.5 million.

Speaking during the official opening of the school, council chairperson, Mr Frans van der Westhuizen said he expected improved results because the children were not disturbed by “emotional separation from parents.”

Mr van der Westhuizen said for the school to produce improved results, it was paramount that parents developed interest and participated in their children’s academic progress.

“We have to sacrifice today so that others may live better lives tomorrow,” he said.

He promised that the council would continue requesting funds to develop the school so that more classes could built. Standard Three pupils attend their classes in a tent while the lower classes occupy the two classrooms.

Cllr Sam Brooks, whose ward includes Mc Carthy’s Rust, said it was difficult for residents of the village to visit the school because of the politics surrounding the unrecognized settlement.

Cllr Brooks called on the implementers of government programmes not to allow policies to deter them from rendering services to the people. He said where possible, policies should be circumvented for the sake of service delivery.

The school started operating in mid-2011 with only three teachers, including the headteacher and a temporary teacher. The headteacher does not have an office and uses a storeroom instead. The number of teachers has since grown to four, including the headteacher. Ends