03 Feb 2021

Parliament has been informed of some photocopying machines supplied in some schools countrywide are inoperable

Responding to a question in Parliament, the Assistant minister of Basic Education, Ms Nnaniki Makwinja said challenges were due to maintenance related issues.

“I am aware of challenges regarding photocopying and duplication of tests papers and teaching materials in Mahalapye Sub-district and Mahalapye West Constituency in particular,” she said.

Ms Makwinja   said in an effort to alleviate the challenge, the ministry made a provision for industrial copiers to assist the affected schools, saying the industrial machines would also be placed strategically to be shared by neighbouring schools.

Additionally, she said a new industrial machine would be placed at Parwe Junior Secondary School for Mahalapye West Constituency before the end of March.

Ms Makwinja also said she was not aware that some teachers were forced to produce test papers of up to 45 pupils by hand.

Mahalapye West Member of Parliament, Mr David Tshere had asked if the minister was aware that photocopying or duplication of test papers and other teaching materials was a challenge at Mahalapye Sub-district Council and Mahalapye West Constituency in particular.

He also asked if the minister was aware that teachers were forced to reproduce tests papers for a class of up to 45 pupils by hand and that photocopying machines, which were supplied had been lying without ink, paper and maintenance.

He further wanted to know what were the short and long-term plans to resolve the issue. ENDS