11 Mar 2025

 Lempu Junior Secondary School learners have raised concern concerning poor learning conditions in the school. 

The learners relayed their concerns during a tour of the school by Member of Parliament for Takatokwane and also Minister of Sports and Arts, Mr Jacob Kelebeng.

They said the classrooms and dormitories had no doors and windowpanes.

Also, they said the school furniture was not only inadequate but was also in a state of despair.

Briefing the minister, the school head, Mr Keogotsitse Tinye said while maintenance was conducted in 2022, it was executed using substandard materials, particularly concerning the doors. He said the hostel boundary fence required refurbishment and learners’ dormitories had no doors and windowpanes and were overcrowded, and as such, the ablution facilities were inadequate for the current population.

Also, he said vandalism was a significant challenge in the school adding that the staffroom was inadequate to accommodate all teachers.

He also called for expansion of boarding facilities to accommodate the growing learners population over the years.

“When the school opened in 1996, it had 16 streams, which were later upgraded to 18 streams; currently, it has expanded to 32 streams, resulting in a shortage of classrooms,” he noted. 

A teacher from the Guidance and Counselling Department, Ms Suzan Semme, expressed a concern over delay in assessing pupils with special needs by Learner Support Services personnel.

Ms Semme said a list of such learners had been submitted yet no action had been taken adding that some of them had already written their junior certificate examinations. She reiterated the importance of providing appropriate support for learners with learning disabilities, saying they could not be taught with other learners and required specialised resources.

The concerns regarding the assessment of students with learning disabilities were echoed by several teachers, who advocated for prioritisation of schools in rural areas. They also said that lack of parental involvement in children’s education exacerbated the situation and also expressed the need for adequate resources to enhance their teaching effectiveness.

An Agriculture teacher, Mr Nngauyos Kaodimba told the minister that they were facing challenges of teaching a practical subject like agriculture without proper resources.

The situation, he said did not only burden teachers but also jeopardised learners’ future.

Meanwhile, Mr Kelebeng promised to relay challenges to relevant authorities.

He further briefed the meeting about the reintroduction of school sports, saying conversation with relevant stakeholders, including teachers through their union representatives was ongoing. ENDS