19 Dec 2023

 The Ministry of Education and Skills Development intends to undertake schools’ expansion to address challenges of boarding facilities that are exceeding capacity as budget permits.

Minister Dr Douglas Letsholathebe told Parliament that he was aware that Dukwi Junior Secondary School was among those whose boarding exceeded capacity. He said the school was currently under cycle maintenance, which includes electrification of the hostels, adding that it was only recently that the girls hostels experienced power problems not covered in the original scope of works, hence the contractor had not attended to them.

Dr Letsholathebe said the ministry had therefore sought additional funds to address the power problems.

He explained that the suggestion to transfer excess learners to John Nswazi Junior Secondary School or Tlhalogang was appreciated, but noted that the schools were equally oversubscribed. He said measures were put in place during COVID-19 to mitigate against the pandemic, adding that should a new pandemic emerge, appropriate measures would be undertaken to mitigate against infection.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister if he was aware the Dukwi as a boarding facility had exceeded the capacity and that all dormitories had no power since the contractor failed to attend to them. He also suggested that the minister could consider transferring pupils to other boarding schools. ENDS