13 May 2021

Minister of Basic Education, Mr Fidelis Molao has appealed to Rock-Dee construction company to speed up maintenance works at Francistown Senior Secondary School.

Speaking after touring the school on Tuesday, which was currently undergoing major maintenance, Mr Molao advised the company to ensure work is completed at agreed time and on budget.

He expressed disappointment that the maintenance, which started more than two years ago, was still below 50 per cent. 

Mr Molao said government could not expect teachers and pupils to produce good results under such circumstances, adding that he would seek audience with the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing to map a way forward.

The minister had been taken on a tour of the staff room, the library, laboratories, the kitchen, the hall, as well as staff houses, which are all in a dilapidated state, hence the major maintenance. 

Earlier on, the school head, Mr Fanyana Ntaise had lamented the snail’s pace at which the maintenance works were moving, saying the delay had disrupted lessons and made it difficult for both the pupils and the staff to work.

“Out of all the 72 classes that were supposed to have been completed, only 34 were handed to us. 

Right now my biggest concern is the laboratories as the examinations are approaching and the students need to use them for their projects,” he added.

Mr Ntaise further indicated that some teachers had to do their work outside as the staff room was incomplete. 

The minister was also informed that failure to complete the kitchen had forced the school to use Setlalekgosi Junior Secondary School’s cooking facilities, though currently they are using the one available pot as they are only cooking for the form fives. 

The construction company site manager, Mr Thato Dikgole explained that the delays were caused by lack of materials, as most were sourced from outside the country and arrived very late. 

However, he promised that they would do their best to ensure that the project is delivered this year. Ends