12 Oct 2014

The P4.2 million two-teacher primary school constructed through Ipelegeng programme at Gopong in Goodhope Sub-district during the 2013/14 financial year has been officially opened.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Peter Siele, who officially opened the facility on Thursday, October 9, said it was indeed one of the successful projects done under Ipelegeng in the Southern District. 

Mr Siele said the project was necessitated by the problem of pupils travelling more than six kilometres to attend schools in the neighbouring villages of Lorwana and Digawana.

“This school was built by Gopong community and skilled labourers from the village and neighbouring villages, I commend the people of Gopong and neighbouring villages for the workmanship,’’ he said.

He said they have succeeded through the involvement of parents, teachers and other stakeholders, adding that every stakeholder has a part to play in the children’s education. He urged the school to establish close relationships with parents and share open communication with them, while Parents Teachers Association (PTA) would play a key role in the development of the pupils.

Minister Siele said the project would contribute much towards achieving the National Vision pillar of ‘An Educated and Informed Nation’ as the nation approaches the 50^th year since independence, which marks the end of Vision 2016.

“I am confident that staff and pupils of Gopong Primary School will continue to innovate and build a community with a desire to learn continuously and contribute to the development of Botswana,” he added.

Currently, the village has a total of 78 pupils who are schooling at Lorwana and Digawana primary schools, and starting January, the pupils will be enrolled at the new school.

The minister appreciated the families of Wapula Sechi and Mashiakgomo Modisaotsile of Gopong for giving away their fields to pave way for the construction of the school.

Giving a vote of thanks, the Southern District Council chairperson, Mr Leach Tlhomelang commended the council for being the best among others for building a school through Ipelegeng. 

He said during his leadership they faced many challenges of shortage of funds due to economic recession, but they initiated other means of developing the district.

Mr Tlhomelang said through Ipelegeng programme, the district has constructed kgotla shelters, roads, Mongala Mall in Kanye and maintained schools. 

He advised parents in Gopong to work jointly together to develop the village. 

The residents danced and ululated to welcome the new school and also thanked the council for its visionary leadership.

They also expressed their gratitude towards dikgosi and Minister Siele.  ENDS