11 Oct 2024

A new state-of-art primary school in Oodi has been handed over to authorities and will start admitting pupils in January 2025.

The school was built under the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) and will accommodate 800 pupils.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Assistant Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mabuse Pule said the new school would reduce overcrowding at Oodi, Matebeleng and Modipane primary schools. Mr Pule described the school as a beacon of progress for Kgatleng East residents.

On other projects handed over in the constituency during his term as area MP, Mr Pule said their successful completion and handover was a demonstration of hard work and dedication by those who were instrumental in driving their implementation.

He said the new Oodi Primary School would serve as a vital education facility for the growing population in the area.

Mr Pule also said he was pleased with the construction of a house at Oliphant’s Drift Primary School, two classroom blocks at Modipane primary, two double-storey teachers houses and a toilet block at Lady Mitchison and Kgafela primary schools.

The acting director at Kgatleng Regional Education, Ms Lesego Meyar said the new school was a significant milestone worth celebrating as the buildings were modern infrastructure with cutting edge resources for learners in the area.

She said the school would reduce pressure on other schools in the area and enhance the learning experience of pupils, adding that it was a safe and conducive learning environment for the 21st century learner.

She explained that the school would accommodate pupils from pre-school to standard six and that the head teacher and deputy had already been appointed and would resume work before January.

Kgatleng District Council chairperson, Mr Daniel Molokwe said the new school would reduce overcrowding at other primary schools. He urged the contractors of the school to leave a mark in the district through their corporate social responsibility programme.

For his part, Kgatleng District Council secretary, Mr Poloko Mojalemotho said their objective was to showcase all Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development completed projects that they were carried out.

He noted that their mandate was, among others, to guide in the implementation of projects, ensure maintenance of buildings, improve road infrastructure under Constituency Community Projects and to provide primary services.

Ezra & Ezra Construction director, Mr Anthony Sekgweng said the new primary school consisted of 22 classrooms, a kitchen and dining hall, library, computer room, administration block and a two-classroom block for kindergarten pupils. He added that they employed over 160 people for the project.

Oodi councillor, Mr Molefi Motsamai pleaded with contractors to build a bridge that would ease travel for pupils commuting from Kgalapitse settlement in order for to attend school during the rainy season. Ends