This after over 300 people gathered at Kgosi Shope Secondary School in the Setlhwatlhwe section at Setlagole Village as North West Education MEC, Viola Motsumi, officially launched the construction project of the school on Friday 14 April 2023.

According to the provincial Education Spokesperson, Elias Malindi, the project is worth R65 million and is expected to be completed by June 2024.

He added that the project, which consists of the demolition of dilapidated infrastructure, construction of ten new classrooms, a library, computer laboratory, science laboratory, multipurpose centre, nutrition centre, administration block, guard house, storage areas, and security fence, amongst others, will also be beneficial to the community.

“Almost 40 people from the local community are going to get temporary employment during the renovation of the school. Also, the local companies are going to share the 30% stake through sub-contracting. The Kgosi Shope Secondary School was established in 1991. It was built by the community and its members each donated a brick to construct the first two blocks of four classrooms. The department built two more blocks consisting of three classrooms and the principal's office,” he said.

Motsumi said that school infrastructure in townships and rural areas raised alarming concerns. She, however, added that the department has taken steps to address the challenges.

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Motsumi emphasised that learners in rural areas deserve to get the same schools as those in towns.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that learners attend school in a conducive learning environment. Learners in the villages have a right to attend schools that are properly built and in good condition. Today we came here to officially conduct a sod turning to signal the beginning of the construction of the Kgosi Shope Secondary School. We are fulfilling our promise that we made to this community of building them a school,” she said.

Motsumi further called on the community to take ownership and look after the school. She said the community should not allow criminals to break or steal from the school as the government will be building a computer laboratory.

OFM News