05 May 2021

 Mmathethe-Molapowabojang MP, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, says Gopong Primary School will be upgraded from a two-teacher class to a fully-fledged school.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with Digawana leadership recently, he said upgrading of the school would mean construction of classroom blocks and teachers’ accommodation.

Dr Dikoloti, who is also health and wellness minister, said the project was expected to kick-start in the 2021/22 financial year.

He said currently the school was offering education up to standard two level and pupils had to complete the remaining classes at Digawana Primary School

Good Hope Sub-district Council’s deputy chairperson, Mr Beach Mooketsane, said in an interview on the sidelines of the event that pupils from Gopong who were schooling at Digawana Primary School were many and therefore the move was long overdue.

He said it was a step in the right direction because it would accord children who reside in ranches along the periphery of Gopong an opportunity to access education without travelling long distances.  

Mr Mooketsane said pupils had to endure over 10km from their place of abode on foot to Digawana and vice-versa.

Therefore, he said the decision to have a fully-fledged school at Gopong deserved applause. 

According to Botswana’s National Settlement Policy an area is recognised as a settlement when it has a population of at least 250 whereas villages should be above the threshold of 500 people, therefore that would mean limited amenities would be availed to settlements whereas villages would enjoy full services.

Mr Mooketsane said Gopong had a population of 1 200, more than double the number required for a village. ends