Govt's P1bn maintenance challenge
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday March 13, 2024 08:46
Teachers unions and Members of Parliament have for some time raised concern about the dilapidated infrastructure in government schools.
It is said that teachers stay in dilapidated houses while the situation in boarding schools is not habitable for students as the lack of regular maintenance at the school remains a nagging problem.
Last week, the Minister of Education and Skills Development, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe admitted that the level of dilapidation in public schools is a serious concern, but said it would cost a fortune to fix it. He said his ministry estimates that a budget in excess of P1 billion is needed in year-on-year for the next few years to fully address the state of infrastructure in schools.
Letsholathebe told Parliament that his ministry has just completed a conditional survey of all secondary schools countrywide to support a proposal to address all maintenance needs with priority given to learner hostels, sewage systems and kitchens. “It is expected that this will be followed by staff housing and academic facilities and then school expansion.
“As I have said, my ministry is prioritising the maintenance of our schools and is making a significant proposal for government to consider addressing this challenge,” the minister said, adding that most schools were overdue for maintenance. Letsholathebe was responding to a question asked by Member of Parliament for Gaborone Bonnington South, Christian Greef, who wanted the minister to state when he is going to refurbish and expand secondary schools in the country looking at the state of disrepair. Greef also asked the minister when Marulamantsi, Gaborone West, Maikano, Tlogatloga and Kgale Hill JSS last had cyclic maintenance.
Furthermore, he wanted the minister to state if there is any programme of action in place and how much is assigned to this programme. Recently, The Monitor published a story in which teachers at Baitlotli Junior Secondary School in Ramotswa were complaining about the state of their houses, which have put their health at risk. The teachers complained that the dilapidated houses were plagued with bats due to the lack of regular maintenance at the school.