02 Aug 2021

Selebi Phikwe Town Council will increase the number of handymen to repair and fix old furniture to address shortage of tables and chairs for learners and teachers in primary schools, Parliament has heard. 

In response to a parliamentary question recently, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule said the council would also propose a budget to procure furniture for learners and teachers in the next budget cycle, resources permitting. 

He indicated that there was a shortfall of 800 tables and 89 chairs for leaners in the 11 primary schools with an enrolment of 7 474 learners in Selebi Phikwe versus the available 6 674 and 7 385 learners’ tables and chairs respectively. 

He indicated that the 11 primary schools in Selebi Phikwe had a total of 295 teachers out of whom 175 had tables and a shortfall of 120 tables. 

With respect to chairs, he said only 187 teachers had chairs hence a deficit of 108 teachers’ chairs at Boitumelo, Boitshoko, Botshabelo, Boswelakgomo, Joseph Anderson, Lapologang, Selebi Phikwe, Reuben Mpabanga, Segomotso, Tebogo and Tlhabologo primary schools. 

He further explained that Selebi Phikwe Town Council, had in the past three financial years, faced serious budgetary constraints and could not to meet some of its obligations, including replacement of school furniture for both teachers and leaners. 

“This shortage was exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic where social distancing had to be embraced such as to discontinue sharing of furniture. 

The schools adopted the two shifts per day to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. 

Therefore the effects on teaching had been minimal,” he said. 

Selebi Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse, had asked the minister to explain the availability and state of furniture for learners and teachers in Selebi Phikwe primary schools. 

Mr Keorapetse also asked the minister to state schools with furniture problems in regards to teachers and learners. 

He further wanted to know how long that had been the case and effects such shortage had on teaching and learning as well as when and how the situation was addressed. Ends