06 Sep 2021

Botswana Teachers Union Vice President, Mr Tjalebgwa Bagwasi has appealed to government to delay opening of the newly constructed Jao Flats satellite school.

Speaking in an interview following a visit to assess the facility on Friday, Mr Bagwasi said though they appreciated government’s efforts to ensure children accessed education, the school expected to admit Standard one and two pupils, was not ready to start operating when schools re-opened on Tuesday.

The school, with two-tent classrooms was completed August 30 with the aim to reduce the distance commuted by learners to schools in Etsha and Seronga.

Mr Bagwasi said the canvas used for the classrooms was worn out and gum poles and rafters destroyed by termites, rendering the place inapt for a learning environment.

He said the facility was also not fenced yet adjacent to the river and located in a wildlife infested area.

Mr Bagwasi further noted that there was no kitchen, furniture, learning resources and that the process to post teachers and transfer in learners had not yet started.

“We believe a lot has to be done at the school and government must consider giving the school up to end of December so that pending issues can be attended to,” he said. 

In addition, Mr Bagwasi said  that they learnt of parents’ reluctance to transfer their children looking at the state of the school.

He said villagers wished the school could be at Seronga Primary School satellite because movement between Jao Flats and Seronga village was easier compared to travelling between Etsha and Jao Flats.

Mr Bagwasi said they intended to engage the ministries of basic education and local government, to work together to ready the school for next year intake and added that government should be clear on affirmative action because the school was located on an island with no developments.

BTU publicity secretary, Mr Zweli Tupane concurred that the school was not ready more so that there were no  handwashing basins as required by COVID-19 health protocols. 

Mr Tupane however, commended government for its  government to provide quality education but recommended the use of quality material.

In response, Okavango Sub District Council vice chairperson, Mr Lelejwang Sokwe dismissed reports by BTU that the tents were worn out. He said initially, they used reed for the classrooms but changed to canvas because the reed was destroyed by termites. 

Mr Sokwe also said the school was constructed on top decks like safari lodges because the place was a wildlife area.

He explained that the council met its obligation to provide infrastructure, furniture and learning material while recruitment of teachers was left to the basic education department which he stated that the exercise was completed.

He said classrooms, administration block, kitchen, teachers’ accommodation, potable and waste water plants were also completed. Ends