SPTC breaks own rules on pre-schools

Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday January 23, 2014 16:35

Tebogo Matlhogonolo confirmed that the council has failed to meet requirements imposed on private pre-schools because of financial constraints. That is why the council’s inaugural pre-school has no toys, baby toilets, outdoor play area and other requirements in the early childhood care and education by-laws.

'It is true and it is very unfortunate that the situation is like this. We had explained from the beginning that we are not prepared to introduce pre-schooling because we have set regulations for private operators.

It would be bad (and unfair) for us to fail to comply with the regulations,' the mayor told Mmegi. 

The pre-school is composed of two classes at Joseph Anderson Primary School. It was established following a directive by the Ministry of Local Government to introduce early childhood education centres. Joseph Anderson is one of the 80 schools countrywide chosen to pilot the pre-school programme.

The mayor has said they had always wanted to defer the rollout of the programme due to the challenges currently facing council but they refrained because they could not disobey a government directive.

'These are circumstances we have to account for because if it came as a directive, we have to comply,' he explained. He was quick to admit that the situation may expose council to litigation.

The mayor said they are seeking additional funding from the Ministry of Local Government to properly establish the pre-school though there is no guarantee that they will succeed.  Initially the Selebi-Phikwe Town Council made it clear that it is not in a position to start early childhood classes because of lack of classrooms.

The shortage has forced pupils in some primary schools in the area to learn under trees, thus the introduction of pre-school is posing a challenge to the council.

During a full council meeting last year, councillors said that it is too early to introduce pre-school classes, more so that the cash-strapped local authority could not afford to avail the necessary infrastructure to meet the early childhood care and education regulations.

Council is mandated to carry out inspections and monitor adherence to its regulations by the private pre-schools through its by-law department.

It can suspend, revoke or impose further conditions on private pre-schools that flout licence conditions.

Meanwhile the owner of a private pre-school who preferred anonymity told Mmegi that she was shocked that the council that gives them sleepless nights over violation of by-laws is setting such a bad example.

“The local authority must explain this to us. We do not expect anymore inspections until it sweeps its house clean and be an example to us,” the irate businesswoman said.