20 Oct 2020

Residents of Boro have been informed that the long awaited primary school would be implemented through the Community Constituency Programme (CCP).

Responding to concerns raised during a kgotla meeting recently, Maun West MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando informed the residents that the budget had been secured.

Residents learnt that P2.3 million had been put aside for the project, and that the COVID-19 pandemic had affected commencement, as funding was diverted to assist in the fight against the pandemic.

Since the CCP funding had now been released, Mr Saleshando said the project should be given priority, as residents had long requested for the school, to reduce the long distance travelled by children to access education.

The area MP also expressed concern about poor performance of schools in the district; both primary and secondary as they were always at the bottom of list across the country.

He called on all stakeholders to team up in an effort to address the education challenges in the district.

Mr Saleshando implored parents to take part in the education system, to improve the results, adding that education today was inseparable from the development of human capital, and thus its importance could not be overemphasised.

North West District Council chairperson, Mr Kebareeditse Ntsogotlho said the council was equally concerned about the distance travelled by children to access education.

He concurred that education was a fundamental right of every child, hence the need to access it closer.

He acknowledged efforts by the Maun West MP, saying he had contributed part of the CCP funding towards the project and stated that COVID-19 had frustrated them as the funding was released late.

Mr Ntsogotlho told residents that currently they were working on preparations to construct the school.

Earlier on, the residents had asked their MP to intervene, as the council had long promised them a school.

They argued that children were suffering, as they had to travel between 15 and 18 kilometres to access education at Matlapana and Sedie schools.

They said their lives were also at risk due to roaming wild animals such as elephants.

After the explanation, residents pleaded with relevant authorities to fast-track implementation of the project.

They expressed hope that the academic performance would also improve, if their children could access education closer.

Some parents said it was difficult to play their part in their children’s education because of the distance.

They agreed that they were partners in education, and that their children performed badly because of lack of parental support.

“Things will change for the better once we have our school, as we will develop a passion to see to it that all children received the best education possible,” said one Mr Frank Kesietswe.

He also stated that lack of pre-schools in some villages contributed to poor performance, adding that some parents were economically challenged to take their children to private schools.

He said it was important to catch them young while at pre-school, so that when they reached primary level, they could do better. ENDS