Overcrowding crisis persists in Shashe West primary schools
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday February 18, 2026 10:40
Despite years of pleas from parents, teachers, and community leaders, the project remains stalled, leaving pupils to learn under strained and increasingly difficult conditions. This came to light during a parliamentary session when Shashe West Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Jeremiah Frenzel, asked the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa, whether he is aware of the overpopulation of students currently being experienced in the primary schools located in Chadibe, Borolong, and Shashe-Mooke.
Secondly, he questioned what plans are being put in place to address the situation, and if the planned construction of new primary schools at the above-stated villages using the Development Manager (DM) Model is still underway.
Responding to Frenzel’s questions, Motshegwa said that to address this overpopulation, the ministry is implementing interim measures to mitigate the situation and ensure learning continuity. Currently, Motshegwa said the practice of shifting classes is in effect, specifically at Shashe Mooke Primary School for standards 2 and 3, and at Borolong Primary School for Standard 2 and at Chadibe North Primary School, shifting is not necessary as the school is effectively utilising available permanent structures, such as library spaces, to accommodate the excess student numbers.
“The planned construction of new primary schools in the aforementioned villages was initially envisaged to utilise the Development Manager (DM) Model. This construction has since been temporarily suspended, following the decision to undertake a comprehensive review of the Development Manager (DM) Model. The definitive way forward regarding the implementation of these school constructions will be formally communicated to all stakeholders following the completion of the DM model revocation and the subsequent recommendation of the best practice procurement method to be utilised,” he said.
Frenzel had argued that the existing school was dangerously overcrowded, compromising both the wellbeing of learners and the quality of education. For more than a decade, the single primary school in Borolong and Shashe-Mooke far exceeded its maximum capacity of 850 students. Due to a lack of infrastructure, children are forced to learn under trees.
One of the failed promises is that the Borolong Primary School's second school was originally listed in the Transitional National Development Plan II (2023–2024, 2024–2025) but was later suspended.
Located just 20 kilometres from Francistown, Borolong is amongst the fastest-growing villages in the Tonota District, with a population nearing 10,000. Over a decade ago, education officials proposed an expansion of the current school by adding two classroom blocks to the existing 22, but the plan was scrapped due to space constraints. The demand for a second school was a significant campaign issue during the 2014 General Election, with candidates pledging to address the crisis.
That year, frustration over failed promises contributed to the Botswana Democratic Party losing the constituency to the Botswana Patriotic Front. As learners continue to study under overcrowded conditions, Borolong’s residents remain hopeful that the government will soon intervene. Some parents who can afford transport fees have taken their children to study in Francistown, and they are forced to commute to and fro daily.
Commenting on the area MP’s office Facebook page, residents hailed Frenzel for his effortless determination as he continued to ask this question before Parliament despite the approval of the construction of this school lagging for decades.
The residents remain hopeful that since they have changed political parties, the new administration will hear their plea. They further pleaded with their area MP to plead for a Senior Secondary School as the constituency currently does not have any. After completing their Form 3, learners are forced to go to a boarding school at Mmadinare, located far from their village.