Hon. Basetsana R.S Dantjie conducted oversight visits at Lesele Secondary and Boons Laerskool (megafarm school) in Mathopestad near Koster.

The Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Hon. Basetsana R.S Dantjie conducted oversight visits at Lesele Secondary and Boons Laerskool (megafarm school) in Mathopestad near Koster. This forms part of the Legislature’s three-day programme to check and assess the schools’ readiness for the 2024 school year.

Both schools did not have major challenges except overcrowding and shortage of school desks and tables. The Principal of Leseleng Secondary School, Ms. Baleseng Mokokoe said there is a serious challenge on the usage of the community library within the school premises. “The library was built for the school by the Independent Development Trust but Kgetleng Local Municipality appointed a librarian to manage it.

We cannot use the library as it does not have resources for teaching and learning, and the municipality is not assisting on ensuring that we access the library although is within the school yard. There is no serve level agreement between the library and the school,” said Ms. Mokokoe.

The Principal of Boons Laerskool, Mr. Matsemela Bodibe said admission of learners was hampered by late arrivals due to scholar transport challenges. “We were informed that certain service providers could not collect learners as there was confusion of routes with some duplications. The school governing body has been very supportive on issues of school infrastructure and we appreciate them a lot,” said Mr. Bodibe.

Hon. Dantjie said the Department of Education should prioritise mobile classes and school furniture for both schools. “The department provided two mobile classrooms at Leseleng Secondary School but did not allocate chairs and tables thus causing overcrowding in certain classes. We will also urge the municipality to work with the school on ensuring that both the school and the community utilise the library effectively and efficiently.

“The issues of the scholar transport at Boons Laerskool must be urgently resolved by the Department of Community Safety and Transport Management and Department of Education as we cannot have a situation where learners are not attending school due to this matter,” said Hon. Dantjie.

She also complemented both School Principals for managing the schools with excellence and dedication. “They have been very resourceful and giving us information with efficiency and we also thank the department for the support during the three-day school visits programme,” said Hon. Dantjie.