24 Feb 2013

Residents of Mahotshwane in the Ngwaketse West constituency have requested for the construction of a day care centre in their village.

Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson, Ms Ethata Maipolelo told the Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ms Botlogile Tshireletso in a kgotla meeting that having a day care centre in the village would help their children start learning at an early age.

Ms Maipolelo said such a facility could help improve the primary school results because children would have understood the education system while still young.

She acknowledged the government’s budgetary constraints, saying even temporary structures in the form of caravans would be appreciated. She underscored the need to introduce  computer education at the local primary school.

The VDC chairperson said the current situation was disadvantageous to Mahotshwane pupils who, after completion of primary level, had to compete at junior schools with other students who already knew how to use computers.

She also  appealed to government to construct hostels for pupils whose parents stayed at the lands so that they could have proper accommodation nearer to the school.

Responding to the concerns, the senior assistant council secretary (SACS) for Mabutsane Sub-district, Mr Omphile Mosweu said even though he acknowledged the need for a day care centre, there were no funds for such a facility.

He explained that in the past, it was much easier for villages to have day care centres because the projects were collaboration between the VDCs and the government. “Currently we only rely on Ipelegeng and it is unfortunate that we do not have enough funds for such projects,” he said.

However, the principal education officer, Mr Ndoda Sephiri explained that in the meantime the residents could utilize the standard one orientation programme which commenced last year.

He said in the absence of a day care centre, they encouraged people to enrol their children for this programme after the standard sevens had written their Primary School Leaving Examinations.

He said even though the two months programme was not enough, it helped to teach the pupils the basics and what to expect when starting school the following year.

 On the issue of hostels, the assistant minister said they had realised that the provision of such facilities encouraged some parents to neglect their children and not exercise their responsibilities.

Ms Tshireletso encouraged parents to divide their roles in such a way that if one stayed at the lands the other would remain behind to take care of the children. ENDS