LHDA PAYS ATTENTION TO INO PRIMARY SCHOOL
PRESS STATEMENT
The Lesotho Highlands Development Authority acting Chief Executive, Mrs. Refiloe Tlali held discussions with the Project Authorities in the Lesotho Highlands Water Commission (LHWC), on modalities of upgrading Ino and Ratau primary schools in the Thaba-Bosiu foothills.
The Authority has a mandate to ensure that schools that are affected by the Lesotho Highlands Water Project are upgraded to accommodate increased number of pupils/ students as a result of communities relocating or resettling to new locations. Upgrading includes construction of additional classrooms, provision of water and sanitation facilities and other appropriate necessities.
Ino and Ratau primary schools are such schools in the Thaba-Bosiu foothills where communities from Ha Mohale in the Maluti have chosen to resettle to give way to the construction of Mohale dam and tunnel, Phase 1B of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. These schools must therefore be improved to absorb the increased intake from new arrivals into the host communities. Plans are afoot to ensure that the upgrading process commences. A recent visit by the Project Authorities to especially Ino primary school, confirmed the poor situation prevailing at the school premises as highlighted by the Ombudsman and a local newspaper, Mopheme the Survivor. The two schools will receive priority attention in the LHDA upgrading programme.
The LHDA will hold talks with the school’s principal to discuss phasing of the upgrading process which will include a) purchasing of desks for the pupils, b) replacing broken window panes and doors, c) providing ceilings, d) partitioning and plastering of the church hall that operates as a classroom, and e) provision of chalkboards, f) provision of toilets and water supply improvements, g) start construction of 7 extra classrooms, h) provision for a staff house and staff quarters.
It is planned that the first phase of works, namely, renovations will be done with minimal interruptions to the school’s teaching programme, while construction will commence during the winter school break. A dedicated workforce has been identified to ensure that the works takes as little time as is possible and that work can commence as soon as teaching is over during the day and may resume earlier at the weekends. This would ensure that by the time schools re-open for the summer session, a lot of groundwork would have been covered.
The school’s upgrading programme will ensure that access roads to the school is done as will the provision of a footbridge across the stream that separates the Makotoko village and Ino primary school.
An assessment of conditions at Ratau Primary School will be undertaken this week for acquisition of additional information on the needs of the school’s requirement further to the increased student intake. Upgrading will be performed according to the evaluations from the needs assessment to be discussed, likewise, with the school’s management. The Ministry of Education will be informed and consulted at every step of the programme as has been standard procedure with other schools before.
The delay to effect upgrading at both Ino and Ratau schools as promised is regretted.
The public will be kept abreast of progress at the two schools particularly, as well as other affected schools.
The LHDA also confirms that a programme that addresses the needs of the youth in the Project area in seeing to the education and physical welfare of all youth through programmes such as involvement and participation in environment fares, science and mathematics clubs, physical training, is available. The Authority is committed to investing in youth as future custodians and key stakeholders in the affairs of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project for social and economic benefits.
In conclusion, the Authority welcomes as helpful, constructive critique from the media. They are perceived as watchdogs on behalf of the entire nation in ensuring that the LHDA honours its obligations in the LHWP implementation for a true sustainable contribution to the upliftment of Lesotho’s economic landscape.
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For more information please contact LHDA Public Relations Office at Tel. +266 22 313 830