Motlalepula Rosho continued with oversight visits to assess the state of school readiness for the 2026

The Chief Whip of Legislature, Hon. Motlalepula Rosho continued with oversight visits to assess the state of school readiness for the 2026 teaching and learning year in the Tswaing Local Municipality, within the Ngaka Modiri Molema District. The following schools were visited: Refentse Secondary, Delareyville Laerskool, Agisanang, and Tumisang Primary Schools.

The programme is aimed at assessing various schools’ preparations for the 2026 teaching and learning year and any challenges experienced from Tuesday, 13 January to Friday, 16 January 2026.

Refentse Secondary School
The Principal, Mr. Modisaotsile Maboe who welcomed the Office of the Chief Whip, informed Hon. Rosho that the school is functioning under very challenging conditions. “The school operates from 17 mobile classrooms, which are extremely hot during summer and very cold in winter. The kitchen is a small shack located behind the classrooms and does not comply with regulations. However, the school has no alternative as it is required to provide meals to learners. The Department of Education has instructed the school to demolish the shack but has not provided an alternative kitchen facility,” said Mr. Maboe.

Mr. Maboe further indicated that the school does not have sufficient ablution facilities for both learners and educators. “The school has 936 learners with the possibility of additional Grade 8 learners and we only have 10 toilets available for both boys and girls. Classrooms are overcrowded, making it difficult for educators to provide individual attention to learners within the allocated periods. This also limits educators’ ability to move freely within the classrooms,” said Mr. Maboe.

He also said the school is not fully electrified as an amount of R122 000.00 had to be paid to the municipality to connect electricity from the nearest electricity pole. The school was also required to supply the cable for this partial electrification. “Our wish is to have the entire school fully electrified,” said Mr Maboe.

Hon. Rosho congratulated the school’s matric pass rate of 92 percent for the 2025 academic year. “We encourage the school principal and the management team to continue with the good work they are doing under difficult circumstances,” said Hon. Rosho.

Hon. Rosho committed to engaging the MEC of the Department of Education, Viola Motsumi to establish what plans are in place to support the school and to determine the timeline for the planned refurbishment. The Chief Whip further committed that, following engagements with the Department of Education, feedback will be provided to the school.

Delareyville Laerskool
The visit then continued to Delareyville Laerskool, where the Deputy Principal, Ms. Trix Brummer, welcomed the Chief Whip and provided a brief overview of the school’s status. According to Ms. Brummer, the school is functioning well, although it faces normal operational challenges.

Tumisang Primary School
The Principal, Mr. Phetogane Lentlonkane, welcomed the Chief Whip and indicated that the school is functioning well, with all learners, including Grade R learners, attending classes.

Mr. Lentlonkane stated that the school has managed to mitigate most of the challenges it faces. “Our main concern is the electricity bill, which currently stands at approximately R200 000.00, reduced from R500 000.00,” said Mr. Lentlonkane.

Hon. Rosho undertook to request the Department of Education to engage with the relevant municipalities regarding the electricity bill and to explore possible measures to reduce the outstanding balance.

Agisang Primary School
The Principal, Ms. Dimakatso Petlele, who provided a briefing on the status and functionality of the school where she informed the legislature that although the school is functioning well, there are significant infrastructure challenges, particularly the shortage of toilets.

“The toilets designated for the senior phase, located upstairs, are not functional due to a lack of water supply to that level, resulting in the school being unable to utilise them. The school has three Grade 3 classes, yet only one toilet is operational. As a result, learners are forced to share toilets with Grades 1 and 2, which is not appropriate as each phase should have its own facilities,” said Ms. Petlele.

The Principal also indicated that although the breakfast programme was introduced in schools last year, the allocated budget is insufficient to cater adequately for learners. Consequently, the school is only able to provide breakfast three days a week instead of five.
Ms Petlele also indicated that the school has not undergone renovations for a long time, resulting in numerous infrastructure challenges, including leaking roofs, broken doors, classrooms without ceilings, damaged gutters, and some classrooms without windows.

Hon. Rosho committed to engaging the Department of Education on the reported infrastructure challenges and to request assistance with ablution facilities for Grade R learners. She also undertook to follow up on the concerns regarding the breakfast programme.