Parents Threaten To Shut 'Filthy' Oodi School
Innocent Selatlhwa | Monday June 24, 2019 12:21
The letter is addressed to Kgatleng District Council and copied to chief education, permanent secretary for Basic Education, Oodi Chief, Member of Parliament, councilor, VDC chairperson, Health Committee, social workers, matron- Oodi Clinic amongst other receipients.
“Oodi Primary School toilets are not at all in a condition to be used by pupils. It has been some years since reporting the issue to the relevant office,” the parents wrote. “A parent came and complained to the school that her child was infected and she was told that it was a toilet infection at the clinic. Parents came to the school to check the state of the school toilets and found that the toilets were in a bad state forcing students to relieve themselves outside the toilets.”
Last August the parents wrote to the Council Secretary seeking for help but nothing has been done to date.
“Parents made follow up on November 22, 2018 and met some officials who promised to visit the school, which they did. They came eight days later and observed the situation and promised to inform Buildings department so they can come renovate, but up to date nothing has been done,” they lamented. The parents held their last meeting on June 13, 2019 where upon they resolved to write the letter and give authorities timeline to attend to the situation.
In addition to the toilets issues, the August letter to the Council Secretary also carried concerns about the outdoor teaching area, feeding of pupils, transport of pupils and shortage of classrooms.
A fact-finding mission by The Monitor team to the school presented a bad picture. Just before entering the school gate, loud voices could be heard, but it was not break time. Students were actually in a classroom under a tree despite the freezing weather.
A bad smell could be picked not far from the classroom. It is coming from the dilapidated pit latrines used by pupils in the school. Toilet paper is visible around the toilets. While some toilets are locked because they are full, those that are being used are also almost full and pupils avoid using them. Even though there are two blocks of water system toilets, they are not usable. According to a source, the toilets have never been used as they were vandalised before they could even be opened for use.
Contacted for comment, area legislator, Moagi Molebatsi said he was aware of the situation and had pleaded with the minister to intervene.
“Our schools in Kgatleng are in a very bad state and we continue to engage authorities, but nothing is being done. I have engaged Minister Bagalatia Arone who complained about lack of funds but promised they would act on matter,” he said.
Council Secretary, Mpho Mathe said they were equally concerned. He said the main problem is oversubscription.
“We are aware of the problems faced by the Modipane, Oodi and Matebeleng cluster. The demand for school places has increased due to parents who work in Gaborone seeking accommodation in the villages.
The only solution is to build a new school,” he said.
Mathe said they are hopeful that they would get a new school after the mid term review of the National Development Plan. He said the toilet situation at the primary school is a cause for concern as it results in pupils falling ill. Mathe said he has since assigned his officers to visit Oodi Primary School to determine short -term solutions that can work for now in attempts to deal with the situation.