22 Apr 2025

Residents of Morula Ward in Gaborone West have raised concern over the continued closure of a local pre-school that has remained shut since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Speaking during a kgotla meeting addressed by Bonnington South MP, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe in Gaborone recently,   Ward  Development Committee (WDC) chairperson Mr Kevin Motana said the day-care facility had remained non-operational due to significant financial debts.

He said while the school was advised to outsource management in an effort to revive it, no progress had been made since.

“The situation has been stagnant for years now, we were told to outsource, but nothing has materialised. We are asking for intervention,” Mr Motana said. Echoing the same frustration, local resident Ms Lona Sekgororwane expressed disappointment that the once-thriving pre-school, which served as a lifeline for working parents and young children, was yet to re-open despite the return to normalcy in other sectors.

“It was supposed to be a temporary closure, but it has been nearly five years,” she said.

She further said children were missing out on foundational learning.

Ms Sekgororwane noted that lack of affordable early childhood education in the ward had left many families in a difficult position, with limited access to childcare and development resources.

Residents also pointed out that the facility showed no signs of renovation or reopening, and said official communication from relevant authorities had been scarce.

In response, MP Gaolathe who is also the Vice President and Minister of Finance acknowledged the concerns and emphasised the urgency of the issue.

Mr Gaolathe stressed the importance of early childhood education, stating that the early years were crucial for cognitive and social development.

“Experts warn that the first five years of life are critical for brain development,” Mr Gaolathe said, adding that a gap of that nature could set some children back significantly.

He committed to engage with relevant stakeholders to explore immediate solutions, including possible public-private partnerships to revive the day-care centre and ensure children in Morula Ward have access to quality early learning. ENDS