- complains about the deteriorating state of schools’ infrastructure
Okavango District Councilors have resumed work this week after their full council and committee meetings were suspended by the Minister of Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa in early August this year.
Motshegwa had entangled in a bitter row with Okavango District councillors over unpaid wages for Ipelegeng workers.
At the programme’s beneficiaries in Okavango were owed a culminative P21 million for the four consecutive months they have worked without receiving payment. This then did not settle well with ODC councillors who lamented that the delays of payments have severely disadvantaged vulnerable members of the communities who depends on the programme for socio-economic relief.
The councillors then unanimously took a bold resolution to boycott council meetings until such payment have been made. The councillors had also moved a motion to temporarily suspend the program in Okavango until all beneficiaries are fully paid their outstanding allowances.
But Motshegwa moved quickly to set aside the resolution arguing that it will have negative implications on the livelihoods of the beneficiaries now and in the future. The minister further directed for ODC’s full council and committee meetings be suspended indefinitely until his authorisation.
The ministry would later release funds to settle the outstanding arrears for the ODC but its full council and committee meetings remained suspended for almost three months.
The councillors returned in their elements complaining about the deteriorating state of infrastructure in several schools across the district, saying the situation continues to affect the quality of education and learners’ welfare.
They expressed frustration that many schools remain in a poor condition, with leaking roofs, broken furniture, inadequate classrooms, and shortage of teacher accommodation.
They said repeated calls for maintenance and rehabilitation have yielded little progress, forcing learners to endure difficult learning environments. Some councillors reported that certain schools have gone years without repairs, compelling students to share desks or take lessons under trees during the rainy season. Others cited the lack of accommodation as a major reason qualified teachers leave the district.
Councillors have pleaded for rehabilitation of schools in the Okavango region to be prioritised, noting that the district’s remoteness often delays service delivery.
Councilor for Kauxwi-Xakao Television France raised a concern that schools in his region are not well maintained. He added that the school toilets have not been functioning for a long time and because the school is located along the river, students release themselves by the river. France indicated that it is risky as the river has many dangerous animals that can attack them and also health wise, it is wrong.
“The classrooms also need maintenance as the doors and windows are broken, he added that they have leaking roofs and some students who learn outside will be in trouble as the rainy season approaches.
For his part Area Councilor for Beetsha and Gudigwa Molathegi Moyei noted that the Schools in Eretsha and Gudigwa villages have only 2 and 4 water-system toilets that are functioning which are used by both students and teachers, adding that it is inappropriate the way things are going.
However, in response the Council Secretary Losika Kula noted that just recently the water system toilets in both Eretsha and Gudigwa Primary Schools were repaired and functioning well. However, within a short period of time they are already dead. He further pleaded for authorities to pitch in and help find ways in which the matter can be addressed or for a different plumber to be engaged.
Meanwhile, ODC Chairperson Gaopalelwe Ronald acknowledged the concerns, stating that efforts are underway to assess the condition of schools and develop a maintenance plan, though financial constraints remain a challenge.
He further noted in his opening remarks that despite financial and logistical challenges, several development projects are underway in the district. These include the construction of classroom blocks, toilets, and hostel facilities, as well as pavement projects in Seronga, Gumare and Shakawe initiated through the Ipelegeng programme an effort he said has created local employment and helped transfer practical skills to community members.
