02 Mar 2025

Profiling of all pupils and their parents to determine their eligibility for Remote Area Development Programme (RADP) hostel accommodation is under way.

The issue was highlighted by Letlhakeng District Officer- Development, Ms Bianca Moswela during her presentation of the District Development Report to the council last week. Ms Moswela said that the council Social and Community Development and Education units were tasked with executing this profiling task She stated that the exercise would not affect Standard 7 students.

Ms Moswela stated that the facility was no longer fulfilling its intended role of serving learners from rural settlements, as a significant portion of its attendees were students not belonging to remote communities. She noted that because of unqualified students at Mantshwabisi, the council was laden with managing the needs of ineligible learners.

In line with RADP policy of 2009, hostels were established as last resort to ensure delivery of appropriate education to learners from rural settlements. Remote area dwellers including students from cattle posts, lands, farms, where there are no schools in their proximity, are catered for under this dispensation.

Students who live in the hostels benefit from services such as private clothing, uniforms, meals, housing, transportation and other essential student needs. Currently, 213 students reside at Mantshwabisi RADP hostel but its capacity is 350 pupils. ENDS