05 Oct 2022

Enrolment growth at Ghanzi township and Charleshill primary schools that led to over subscription in schools calls for establishment of new schools.

The sentiments were expressed by Ghanzi District deputy council chairperson, Mr Ezekiel Kajuu when addressing a full council meeting on Tuesday.

Mr Kajuu said positive as the growth might be, it had brought a challenge of over subscription in schools.

He said though education policy dictated that the maximum capacity of group one category one schools was 880 pupils or 22 classrooms accommodating 40 pupils each, there are some within that category that exceeded the enrolment cap. In Ghanzi East, he cited Kabakae Primary School with 972 pupils, Kgaphamadi with 918 and Ghanzi Primary which had 817 pupils.

Mr Kajuu said the three schools currently accommodated 2 707 pupils against their capacities of 2 640 pupils, an indication of a need for a new primary school in Ghanzi.

In Charleshill, he said Boipelo Primary School had an enrolment of 954 pupils against the recommended 880 pupils recording an excess of 74 pupils, a call for a new primary school in Charleshill as well.

Mr Kajuu however, told the council that the establishment of the two primary schools had been prioritised in the submissions made in District Development Plan 9.  He noted that “It is my hope that when considering location of such schools, the Education Act will be strongly considered especially the part that defines the maximum permissible walking distance by pupils to schools. This will of course be in the best interest of children and that of equitable development in the District.”

Mr Kajuu also briefed the council about Botswana Languages Policy to be implemented January next year.

He said one of language to be introduced in the Ghanzi region was Naro and would be introduced in Metsimantsho, Kuke, Bere, D’Kar, Kacgae, East and West Hanahai, New Xanagas, Kanagas and Chobokwane primary schools.

Shekgalagari he said would be introduced in Boipelo, Karakubis, Ncojane, Kole and Kalkfontein while Otjiherero/Otjimbanderu would be there in Makunda and Boipelo primary schools. The languages were agreed upon during the consultative meetings conducted during the period 2020 to 2022. Ends