Africa-Press – Botswana. Authorities of Kanye schools have called for immediate action from Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) to deal with persistent water shortage in the institutions.
They raised the complaint on Wednesday during WUC stakeholders’ meeting which was meant to address and find solutions to persistent water shortages in Kanye and surrounding villages.
Ketlogetswe Primary School head, Mr Mopaki Leatso decried that lack of proper water supply had been a prevailing issue at the school for some years, causing widespread concern among teachers, parents and students.
He noted that inadequate water supply hinders the school’s ability to provide essential amenities, impacting both teaching and learning.
“Without water, schools and students suffer. It is hard for even the most motivated learners to concentrate when they are thirsty or has to go to the bathroom but cannot because there is no running water.
Some of the learners, especially the young ones, end up relieving themselves anywhere, including behind the toilets and classrooms, and this puts a lot of strain on the school cleaners,” said Mr Leatso.
He stated that lack of water poses health risks to both learners and teachers because some of the learners travel more than 10 kilometres to school during sunny days without drinking water, some even spend the whole day without relieving themselves nor washing their hands. Another school head from Mahikana Primary,
Ms Tiny Camm pointed out that her school has been without water since 2012.
She said subjects like Agriculture need water and when there was no water it meant students could not do practical lessons, adding that most of the learners do not do well in the subject because of water shortage.
“It’s been years since we have been depending on bowsing, which is not enough for the whole school and we can go for months without water, which affects attendance,” she said.
Ngwaketse Primary School head, Ms Peggy Maboa complained about high water bills yet there has been no water for quite some time
She noted that the bills are also inconsistent hence pleading with corporation to introduce prepaid meters.
The corporation’s General Head of Business Centre Manager and Lead Engineer, Mr Olebile Matswiri noted that he was aware of all the water problems in Kanye and surrounding villages.
He assured that the corporation was working around the clock to alleviate the problem.
He disclosed that theft of components from the transformer also made the situation worse, as they are very expensive and they have to be ordered them abroad.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
