20 Mar 2025

 Government has been implored to take immediate and decisive action to address critical challenges plaguing the education system.

North West District councillors made the plea when debating the chairman’s speech recently, calling on government to provide a safer environment for both teachers and pupils. They highlighted pressing issues ranging from infrastructure deficits to declining quality of education and shortage of teachers, calling for a comprehensive reform to ensure equitable access to quality education for all.

They asserted that most of the schools’ facilities left a lot to be desired as some were old and dilapidated and attributed poor academic performance to such a state, saying acute shortage of accommodation for teachers and classrooms was a serious concern. The councillors pointed that challenges in schools demoralised teachers and hampered them from doing their best in shaping the future of learners.

Mr Mmoedi Modiegi, councillor for Sehithwa/ Legotlhwane, said government should prioritise maintenance of schools’ infrastructure, adding that Ngami Junior Secondary School facilities were not suitable for effective teaching and learning. He said the the school, with an enrolment of 764, was also faced with acute shortage of water despite having two tanks.

He said the school relied on water bowsing by Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) which supplied 10 000 litres in a week, which was not sufficient to cater for all the needs.

“Some learners had no option but to drink from the river, which water is not safe for human consumption. WUC has one bowsing vehicle which supplies all schools in the catchment area,” he added.

Mr Modiegi said the school management pinned its hopes on the P2 million gift from MMG Khoemacau Copper Mine and its partners to address some of the challenges, but the money had not yet been disbursed. He also noted that Legotlhwane Primary School was facing a serious shortage of accommodation for teachers, adding that some lived in tents.

Mr Batlhokomedi Monnaatsie of Makalamabedi/ Phuduhudu ward decried the poor state of Makalamabedi Junior Secondary School, which he said admitted majority of learners from the district on boarding basis.

He expressed concern about the bad state of hostels at the school, which was administered from Boteti District. He also complained about congestion at the hostels. The capacity of both girls’ and boys’ hostels, he said, was 96, but currently, they had accommodated 297 girls and 229 boys without enough beds and mattresses, a health hazard for children.

He pleaded with fellow councillors to support him in requesting that the school be administered from the North West District, given that a large number of its pupils were from the region.

“This school deserves urgent attention as it is operating under unfavourable conditions, which affects teaching and learning. It needs thorough maintenance and expansion of facilities,” added Councillor Monnaatsie.

Mr Tshabang Paul’ of Khwai/Mababe ward called for construction of a new junior secondary school at Shorobe, saying it would be strategically located to also admit learners from Khwai and Mababe. ENDS