By OBAKENG MAJE
Most learners from various schools around Taung, rely heavily on local libraries for the provision of free internet to access information either for their homework or school projects. However, some of the learners who refused to be named for fear of reprisal, alleged there is poor service at the Taung Library, including dysfunctional internet.
One of the learners from Batlhaping High School said: “I was here last month and there was no internet for a week. We heavily rely on this library to do school projects and most of them need research. So, we were struggling because our parents are unemployed and could not buy us data as it is too expensive.
“So, I urge the relevant authority to ensure that there is accessible internet at the library at all times. At one time, the photocopying machine was also broken. The public libraries are the beacon to be heavily relied on for information access.”
Another learner from Pinagare High School shared the same sentiments. She further said, it is high time now that the North West Department of Education comes on board and ensures there is internet access in public libraries across the province.
“I stay in Pudimoe and there are some challenges with our library there too. The department should come on board to engage with those who are tasked to ensure that there is internet connectivity at our libraries.
“In most cases, we will be told about the service provider, which I believe that was not even supposed to be the case. The government should cut ties with agencies because most of them put profit ahead of good service.”
The Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) spokesperson, Ricky Oliphant said: “We refute the allegations that the internet at the library in Taung is dysfunctional. Also, the allegations that the photocopy machine is broken is not true.
“As municipality, we provided photocopies to all libraries and the internet was only not functional for one week in March.”
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation, Kenetswe Mosenogi, said in tandem with Batho Pele Principles, her department provides “information” on the services rendered through events of handing over and launching programmes that are established to benefit the community.
Mosenogi said during the 2023/24 departmental budget speech, she made a commitment that, her department will complete the construction of projects such as Migdol, Redirile, Logagane, Rekgaratlhile, Uitkyk and Mmatau librairies and hand them over to the communities through their municipalities.
“An event will be organised by the department to officially hand over the aforementioned libraries, which will be fully equipped with furniture, books, computers, library for the blind, and internet.
“The purpose of this communication plan is to outline proposed and costed communication, media and publicity activities aimed at disseminating information and ensuring maximum coverage for the official opening of Migdol modular library, Uitkyk modular library, Logagane modular library, Mmatau and Redirile community libraries,” she said.
Mosenogi said the opening of the libraries will be done between 5 April and 9 May 2024 2024. She said the plan will not only assist in highlighting the opening of libraries, but will also showcase the contribution of the department in increasing access to libraries in the country.
TaungDailyNews 