Primary schools hit by food, stationery shortages

In response to a parliamentary query, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mabuse Pule attributed the scarcity of food and stationery in many primary schools to management issues.

The question came from Thamaga-Kumakwane Member of Parliament (MP), Pelaelo Motaosane, who sought information on the status of the feeding programme in primary schools nationwide and highlighted the reported absence of food since schools reopened. Motaosane also enquired about the ministry's awareness of shortages in stationery and furniture across primary schools in the country. In his answer, the assistant minister acknowledged the shortages at the start of the term, saying that, on average, supply and distribution were generally satisfactory, especially in 22 out of 31 local authorities.