18 Nov 2020

Moshupa Sub-District chairperson, Mr Peter Sethibe has said the COVID-19 pandemic has had adverse economic effects on many people’s lives.

Speaking during a sub-council session on Monday, Mr Sethibe reminded people that the sub-district still faced the pandemic and that the health personnel was doing all they could in testing, isolating affected persons, doing contact tracing and raising awareness about the pandemic.

Although self-isolating might at times be tough, he said, it had been found to be effective in containing the spread of the virus.  

At the moment, he said, a total of about 50 people including eight employees in the Moshupa Sub-District had been infected and wished them a speedy recovery.

He also appreciated councilors, sub-district management and officers who worked tirelessly to deliver services to the communities during trying times.

Mr Sethibe said he was gratified by the performance of the sub-district thus far though there was still room for improvement.

He said since the beginning of this quarter, Members of Parliament had visited villages with a view to discuss service delivery issues and creation of a harmonious working relationship to build opportunities for development in the sub-district.

He said the legislators also assessed the COVID-19 impact in communities as well as to encourage people to continue observing the set health protocols, adding that such visits would bring better results to the sub-district.

He said the pandemic had affected all spheres of life and the schools also felt its impact as social distancing had compelled some to go on double shifts, which resulted in engaging many temporary teachers.

Mr Sethibe noted that only four learners and one teacher were affected by the virus; one each from Manyana  and Tshwaane Primary Schools, two from Bakgatla Primary School and a teacher at Diratsame JSS.

Mr Sethibe said despite the challenges, about 2 567 candidates had been registered for  examinations with  1 055 sitting for Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE), 871 Junior Secondary Certificate (JC) and 641 Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE).

He said PSLE was written and completed within the stipulated dates.

He expressed the wish for those sitting for junior and senior secondary examinations to successfully complete the exams.

“I know they have been through a lot as COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, quarantines and isolations disrupted their teaching/learning schedule, but I therefore urge them to make the country proud. 

I know nothing can dim the light that shines from within the children,” he said  

He said as health protocols did not allow sharing at schools hence pupils found themselves encountering a challenge of text books, chairs and tables, adding that currently textbooks were being distributed to all schools though not enough to rescue the situation.

He raised a concern that schools continued to lose learners due to desertion and pregnancy despite guidance and counselling and pastoral care programmes in place.  

A total of eight pregnancies and 11 school dropouts were recorded during the quarter under review, he said noting that the situation needed immediate attention.

Furthermore, Mr Sethibe expressed sorrow that the sub-district had lost two pupils, a male and a female who passed on between August and October 2020. Ends