15 Sep 2020

The Ministry of Basic Education does not have any policy, which prohibits Batswana pupils from being admitted at Dukwi Primary School irrespective of whether or not they have parents at the camp.

Responding to a parliamentary question on Monday, Assistant Minister Naniki Makwinja said the school admitted all Batswana children.

Furthermore, she denied  that Tachibona Primary School in Dukwi was overcrowded. She said  Tachibona had 642 pupils whilst the capacity of the school was 660.

The number excluded 77 reception learners whose classes had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said all classes were accommodated in the 22 classrooms and the school was not using shifting timetable with an average class size of just 30 learners. Ms Makwinja said the distance between the two schools was approximately six kilometres, adding  that some learners might be closer to their homes if moved to Dukwi Primary School,  which could also be an option for parents.

She, however, confirmed that the ministry had no problem in optimasing the use of Dukwi Primary School because four classes were not being used and some parents who  wish to transfer their children from Tachibona could do so.

Nata-Gweta MP, Mr Paulson Majaga, had asked if the ministry would allow Batswana children to be re admitted at Dukwi Primary School. He also asked if the minister would consider uplifting of the policy to  children who did not have parents or relatives at the camp to be admitted at school.

The legislator  wanted to know whether Tachibona Primary School was overcrowded with pupils whereas Dukwi Primary School had a lot of vacant spaces. ENDS