Sekgoma JSS teachers, learners struggle amidst severe shortages
Pini Bothoko | Wednesday March 4, 2026 06:00
Originally designed as a nine-stream school, Sekgoma JSS has expanded to accommodate 18 streams due to increased enrolment. This rapid growth has overwhelmed the school’s limited resources, leaving it in urgent need of at least 10 additional classrooms. Currently, class sizes range between 40 and 45 learners, significantly affecting the student-teacher ratio and the overall quality of education.
Poor academic performance in the Chobe region has further intensified concern. The issue came into sharp focus recently following the release of Junior Secondary School examination results, where schools in the area ranked amongst the worst performers nationally.
At Sekgoma JSS, the learning environment paints a troubling picture. Many classrooms lack basic furniture such as chairs and tables. Learners are forced to sit on bricks, broken desks, window sills, and in some cases, directly on the floor.
This not only disrupts lessons but also creates an unsafe and undignified learning environment. Teachers are not spared as they also face a shortage of furniture as well in their staffroom and dilapidated accommodation.
The situation extends beyond classrooms into student accommodation, too. The school’s hostels, built to house 360 students, are currently accommodating around 460. The overcrowding has resulted in a severe shortage of beds and mattresses, leading to discomfort, unrest, and unhealthy living conditions amongst learners.
These challenges are not only affecting academic performance but are also taking a toll on students’ physical and mental well-being.
Minister of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Nono Kgafela-Mokoka, has acknowledged the gravity of the situation nationwide. Speaking recently in Parliament and at various public engagements, she highlighted key issues affecting the sector, including dilapidated infrastructure, shortage of furniture and accommodation, low teacher morale, and long distances travelled by students to access education in some areas.
Kgafela-Mokoka has called for an urgent overhaul of the education system, stressing the need for improved maintenance, inclusive reforms, and the creation of child-friendly learning environments.
“Our priority is to provide quality education in child-friendly environments. This initiative represents a critical step towards ensuring that the country’s schools meet acceptable standards and align with the ministry’s mission to deliver quality education for all,' she said.
Despite these assurances, concerns remain over the pace of intervention. Teacher unions, including the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union, have previously criticised the gap between policy statements and the realities on the ground.
Whilst the government has pledged to address these challenges as funding allows, the situation at Sekgoma JSS underscores the urgent need for immediate intervention before conditions deteriorate further.