While delivering her budget speech in the North West Legislature building on Tuesday, Motsumi mentioned that research has shown that sport in schools helps learners to keep fit and at the same time maintain an alert mind, which is essential for learning. Earlier this year parents were requested to encourage learners to participate in sporting activities to avoid challenges such as substance abuse, and other social challenges like bullying, teenage pregnancy, and crime.

ALSO READ: North West Education encourages sports participation at schools

Recently, Motsumi visit the John Frylinck School which was closed for two days as a result of learners who were carrying dangerous weapons to school and intending to cause gang-related crimes. The incident saw teachers and some of the learners being bullied.  

ALSO READ: North West Education MEC visits school closed down by gangsters

Motsumi says her department intends on launching the Wednesday school sports programme on 7 June 2023 in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and establish school sports hubs in each district.

“We intend to establish hubs for cricket in Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, tennis, netball and hockey in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, rugby in Bojanala District and soccer in Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. We are roping in the collaboration of the Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation, Cricket North West, Rugby North West, SAFA-North West and other sports federation in this endeavour,” she says.

Motsumi revealed her department’s plans to keep the poor girl child in school by storing, maintaining and protecting their dignity by allocating pads. She says through the Sanitary Dignity Programme, the department has allocated R18 509 000 to provide sanitary pads to 92 344 grade 4 to grade 12 learners.

OFM News