By OBAKENG MAJE
The community of Shaleng village, near Taung said they are happy after a consultative engagement with the North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi on Wednesday, over the construction of the new state-of-the-art school. The community members engaged in a meeting with Motsumi to map the way forward over the construction of the new school.
This comes after community members on Tuesday embarked on a poor service delivery protest demanding amongst others, a new school. One of the community leaders, Sinah Gaoagwe, said the department has promised to build a new school since 2019, but nothing has happened.
“We had a meeting with Motsumi on Wednesday as agreed. We managed to elect the committee that will represent us. The committee is composed of three School Governing Body (SGB) members from the Shaleng Primary School, three SGB members from Mothelesi Secondary School, two ordinary community members and one from the Baga-Mothibi Tribal Authority.
“Now, the committee will meet on a monthly basis and give us an update regarding any developments on this project. Motsumi approved the committee and she promised to send a commitment letter today,” she said.
Meanwhile, Motsumi said the community members welcomed the swift move by the department to address the long-standing concerns of parents and educators at Shaleng Primary School and Mothelesi Secondary School. She further said these schools have faced challenges due to low enrolment with a combined student population falling below 500.
“Recognizing the need for improved learning environments, the department has taken decisive action to optimize resources and deliver quality education. We are committed to providing conducive learning spaces for all our learners.
“After careful consideration and discussions with the school communities comprising School Governing Body (SGBs), parents and teachers, we have agreed to combine Shaleng Primary and Mothelesi Secondary Schools into a single institution, which will make them a Combined School,” said Motsumi.
She added that this solution will ensure they can utilize resources effectively, while planning for a brand new school building. Motsumi emphasized that the Combined School will cater to both primary and secondary learners on the same premises.
“It’s important to clarify that even though the schools are being combined, each section will have its dedicated block of classrooms and ablution facilities. The department has already advertised the tender for construction at the school.
“Construction is anticipated to begin in June 2024, with the goal of handing over the revamped facility to the community before the next academic year. This initiative demonstrates the department’s dedication to prioritizing the well-being of learners and ensuring equitable access to quality education across the province.
The Guardian 