Africa-Press – Botswana. Construction of the P80 million new primary school in Oodi is set to assist in accommodating the growing number of pupils that has surpassed the capacity of Oodi Primary school, Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mpho Morapedi has said.
Oodi Primary School currently has more than 800 pupils against a required enrolment of 550.
Mr Morapedi said at the ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday in Oodi that the project was one of those built under the Transitional National Development Plan and was scheduled for completion within a two year period that ends in March 31st, 2025. He said the project would further reduce a problem of overcrowding in other nearby schools as they would offload to the newly built school.
“It will also reduce distance travelled by pupils from within the village and risks involved in travelling those long distances,” he said. Mr Morapedi challenged the contractor and council project implementation team to ensure the project was completed within time and without cost overruns.
Phase one of the project awarded to Ezra and Ezra Construction comes with a package of construction of 22 classrooms, ablution blocks, administration block, library, computer lab, kitchen, furniture and equipment for school at the cost of P49 million. Phase two of the project worth P31 million would further cater for accommodation of staff.
“Phase one which has been awarded to Ezra and is expected to be completed within 365 days from theancil Chairperson, Mr Daniel Molokwe said the facility came handy to cater for an increasing demand for primary education services in some areas of Kgatleng especially the peri-urban areas.
He said Oodi had far exceeded all villages with shortage of classrooms with an enrolment of 818 pupils with 25 classrooms including two reception classes.
“The high enrolment figures in Oodi could be attributed to the village’s proximity to Gaborone as many workers in the city commute daily from villages surrounding the city such as Oodi,” he said. Mr Molokwe further appealed for contractors to work within time frame in order to deliver the project within budget.
Kgosi Masego Semele of Oodi commended government for prioritising Oodi, stating that the project was long overdue since Oodi alone had more than 10 000 inhabitants with only one primary school.
He appealed to Oodi residents to tap into direct opportunities that came with construction of the school, among them availing their artisan skills for employment opportunities.
“I appeal to you to also utilise this chance to grow your small businesses,” he said.
Councillor for Ooodi, Mr Molefi Motsamai expressed delight and appealed to Oodi residents to give the contractor the utmost cooperation and to be able to accommodate the haulage trucks that would be traversing the village to supply building materials.
“There will be lot of dust that will trouble you, but it is only for a short period of time,” he said.
Mr Motsamai also appealed to the contractors to construct a bridge that would enable Kgalapitse pupils to cross over to Oodi.
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