Parents to face legal action over school fees
LOBATSE: Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Archie Makgothi told a full council meeting in Lobatse yesterday that parents who default in paying school fees for their children will face legal action. He was briefing the councillors on the introduction of school fees in January.

Poisonous toys threaten children’s lives
Certain children’s toys have been reportedly found to contain highly poisonous substances that can cause death. South African media reports say that some toys contain large quantities of toxic lead pigment. Some of the poisonous lead content coating the toys is said to be 500 times over international safety limits. Some of the toys reported to be highly poisonous are; Iron and Ironing Board, Blocks in a Lorry, Tortoise and Mallet and Ball. Long exposure to the toys can cause loss of appetite, stomach discomfort, insomnia, retardation of mental and physical development, kidney and brain damage and eventually death. The toys have been recalled from shops in South Africa but some of them are being sold in Botswana.

Court postpones CKGR ruling application
The High Court will deliver a ruling on an application seeking a temporary interdict barring the state from removing people and domestic animals from the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) tomorrow. The ruling was scheduled for yesterday but was postponed because one of the three judges who heard the application by CKGR resident, Amogelang Segootsane was busy with another case.

Swaneng loses hope in water crisis
FRANCISTOWN: The authorities at the Swaneng Hill School in Serowe say they have lost hope that the long-running water shortage in the institution would end. Swaneng Hill headmaster, Jury Sekgwama said there is no end in sight to the water shortage as the problem has been getting worse every year. While the rest of the village has water, the school has experienced shortages for years.

Senior official backs shift system
FRANCISTOWN: A top education official has said that the pilot shift system starting next year in senior secondary schools will bring positive results. Shathiso Tambula, the director of Secondary Education said that though it will be a pilot project, the venture will provide work for many unemployed teachers roaming the streets. The project comes on stream in four senior secondary schools next term.

Fuming councillors walk out of meeting
LOBATSE: Four councillors walked out of a full council meeting yesterday fuming about the manner in which the deputy mayor, Calvin Matlala conducted the proceedings. Tefo Pule (Peleng West), Bobby Raphala (Peleng Central), Mosimanekgotla Botanka (Newlook) and Simon Kgosi of BMC Maokana complained that Matlala was flouting the council standing orders.

Maswibilili criticises BDP
MAUN: The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) chairman, Batisani Maswibilili has condemned the government for the high rate of unemployment, poverty in a rich diamond producing country and the rampant corruption in the high echelons of the ruling party.