05 Oct 2022

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has approved over P3.7 million for purchasing of tablets, laptops, printers and software for 11 Gaborone primary schools.

Gaborone mayor, Mr Austin Abraham informed the city full council meeting yesterday that  the initiative was a step in the right direction to demonstrate government’s commitment to achieving a digital economy that is catalysed by ICT innovation.

The mayor said the tender had already been awarded and the supplier was yet to deliver. He appealed to the private sector to play its part to promote digitisation. Mr Abraham also revealed that more than P12 million had been allocated for the maintenance of schools in Gaborone, namely: Galaletsang, Bosele, Tshwaragano, Diphetogo and Tsholofelo for the financial year 2022/23. On other education developments he said construction of two new schools in Block 6 and Phase 4 was progressing well and completion was scheduled for  December 2022. 

Mayor Abraham said so far, P59 million of the P150 million earmarked for the project had been expended.

“The council will be consulting the community on the registration and naming of the two new primary schools,” he added.

The mayor said the council was faced with a lot of waste management challenges, lamenting indiscriminate littering and dumping at hot spots like playgrounds and open spaces.

To maintain cleanliness in the city, he said the council would continue with timely and informative briefings with the public, as well as enforcement of waste collection and disposal contracts.

“Plans are in place to procure 245 waste receptacles for bus stops, public places and some walkways,” he said, adding that the tender had already been awarded and the supplier was yet to deliver. 

Meanwhile, he said as a prelude to the independence holidays, the council held a weeklong cultural show, in collaboration with Rail Park Mall to showcase culture. 

He revealed that P360 000 was channelled to independence celebrations, with each ward receiving P10 000. Ends