Govt not ready for unified schools

GOTHATAONE MOENG
Staff Writer | Friday May 17, 2013 00:00

President Ian Khama last month told residents at a kgotla meeting in Thamaga that government will convert several junior secondary schools in several villages into unified schools.This week MoESD spokesperson Silas Sehularo told Mmegi that the ministry has so far only identified two junior secondary schools for upgrading.

Tsabong and Mahupu JSS have been chosen because they are the most distant from the nearest senior schools, he said.However, Sehularo admitted that the two schools are not ready to be unified, as they still do not have the necessary infrastructure and resources to accommodate the anticipated swell in student population.

In response to a Mmegi questionnaire, Sehularo admitted that they have not made a decision on what infrastructure is needed for the schools.'The decision is recent, hence the ministry is currently working on the plans for implementation,' he said, adding that the plans will 'provide data on what infrastructure is needed'.

He also added that the number of students expected to be accommodated at each of the schools will be established during the implementation and operational plans.  The first intake of form four students will be after construction is completed at the schools, but there is no timeline for this.Sehularo said the decision to unify some schools was taken to encourage parental engagement in learning, as it plays a critical role in a student's performance.

'It is in the best interest of the ministry to involve and engage parents/community in their children's learning by establishing schools within a reasonable distance from their villages and towns,' he said.It is not the first time that Khama's announcements at kgotla meetings have seemed premature. Recently he announced that talks were ongoing to establish a policy that would allow government employees to venture into businesses. 

However, Assistant Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration Dr Gloria Somolekae later contradicted the president's announcement in Parliament when she said that government employees are not allowed to go into business.