Boro Primary School construction on schedule
Maun West Member of Parliament, Dumelang Saleshando, says construction of Boro satellite primary school will go according to plan.
This, Saleshando said, will happen despite delays and hiccups that were caused by withdrawal of constituency development funds a few months ago.
Speaking in an interview this week following concerns from the council regarding the delay of the much-needed school, Saleshando explained that since constituency funds have been approved, the construction of the school would soon commence.
“The funds were suspended, but were approved again last month so the building of the school will go ahead. All that needs to be done is for me to go and have a meeting with the council secretary and we will be good to go,” Saleshandio explained.
After emerging triumphant at last year’s polls, Saleshando who is also Botswana Congress Party (BCP) president and leader of Umbrella For Democratic Change) in parliament brought forward his development plan for his constituency.
Chief amongst his ambitions was building a satellite school for the children of Boro settlement, who for many years have been subjected to a grueling 36km round trips to and from school.
He promised to push forward the construction of a satellite primary school in Boro for lower age classes and declared that from the P10 million Constituency Development Fund already allocated to his office, he will ensure at least Standard One, Two and Three students have classes in Boro and are not forced to travel the long distance to Maun’s Matlapana Primary School.
Nonetheless, three months following his promise, the government withdrew the constituency funds due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
On Tuesday this week, Boro-Senonnori councilor, Kenson Kgaga was spitting fire during the council meeting, demanding answers as to why the council has not made plans to build this school for the coming financial year.
Kgaga suggested that the satellite school needed to be built as a matter of urgency as the delay will prolong suffering of Boro children who for many years have to walk a long distance through the wildlife infested bush.
“I don’t want to be told that COVID-19 is the reason for the delay because it is just a lame excuse. We have been talking about this since 2016, long before anyone knew there will one day be COVID-19,” Kgaga lashed out.
“Boro children walk long distances in the rain, barefooted in the harsh weather, in the cold and hot weather. What is the director of education saying about this worrisome occurrence whereby young children walk alone in darkness of the morning, and among wild elephants to get to school on time?” He asked.
The concerned councilor was responding to Maun Administration Authority’s (MAA) chairperson speech regarding state of education services in his area.
When delivering the speech, the chairperson, Vepaune Moreti focused on education services during COVID-19.
