Projects for the Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) 1 for backlog eradication in the South East District Council (SEDC) are 100% complete.
SEDC was last week updated on the matter during the full council meeting. However, backlog eradication programme phase II, which includes Otse, Lesetlhana, Batlokwa National and Botsalano Primary School, is currently on-going and ranges from seven to 32% completion status, council Chairperson, Phenyo Segokgo told councillors.
“Unfortunately, one project in Otse is still lagging behind and the contractor has been issued with notice of default. On the same breath, the Council has submitted a Project Memorandum to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to construct five classrooms at Seboko Primary School, one at Botsalano Primary School and one at St Bernard’s Primary School, one by two classroom block at Mokgosi and St Bernards Primary School each, which is yet to be approved,” Segokgo said. He hoped that these facilities will address shortage of education facilities in the district. He also told councillors that the council is paving and installing carports at the New Rural Administration Centre (RAC) and renovating the Old RAC through the general fund. He continued: “The latter is in our quest to address the plight of office accommodation in the district”.
He said the infrastructure is expected to boost the economic growth through employment creation and creating an enabling environment for the ease of doing business in the district. He said a total of 554 people have benefited from these projects in terms of employment opportunities as of November 2017.
On other issues, Segokgo said there was smooth conduct of examination for Primary School Leaving Examinations but as for the secondary schools, there were some disturbing cases where one student committed suicide; one was caught with drugs at Moeding College. “Both cases were handled by the police and the school provided counselling to the students to assist them to cope with the mishap," he said. Segokgo said the situations are worrisome, hence it is upon the parents and all stakeholders to take responsibility in guiding and disciplining their children.
