The construction of a new primary school in Oodi, worth P80 million, is poised to address the increasing number of students that have exceeded the capacity of Oodi Primary School, according to Mr. Mpho Morapedi, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Currently, Oodi Primary School accommodates over 800 students, surpassing its intended enrollment of 550. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Mr. Morapedi highlighted that the project is part of the Transitional National Development Plan and is expected to be completed within a two-year timeline.
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The new school will alleviate overcrowding in nearby schools by redistributing students to the newly built facility. Mr. Morapedi emphasized that the project will also reduce the commuting distance for students within the village, eliminating the risks associated with long-distance travel. He urged the contractor and the council’s project implementation team to ensure timely completion without cost overruns.
HOW THE NEW OODI PRIMARY SCHOOL WILL BE BUILT.
Phase one of the project, awarded to Ezra and Ezra Construction, encompasses the construction of 22 classrooms, ablution blocks, an administration block, a library, a computer lab, and a kitchen, and the provision of furniture and equipment for the school, costing P49 million. Phase two, worth P31 million, will cater to staff accommodation. Mr. Daniel Molokwe, the Ancillary Chairperson, highlighted the urgent need for the facility, particularly in peri-urban areas of Kgatleng, where demand for primary education services has been steadily increasing.
Oodi, with an enrollment of 818 students and 25 classrooms, has faced a shortage of classrooms, largely due to its proximity to Gaborone, as many workers in the city commute from surrounding villages like Oodi. Expressing gratitude, Kgosi Masego Semele of Oodi commended the government for prioritizing the village and stated that the project was long overdue, given Oodi’s population of over 10,000 inhabitants with only one primary school.
He encouraged residents to seize the opportunities brought by the school’s construction, including employment prospects by offering their artisan skills and growing their small businesses. The councilor for Oodi, Mr. Molefi Motsamai, expressed his delight and called on Oodi residents to cooperate fully with the contractor and provide space for hauling trucks transporting building materials. He assured the community that any inconveniences caused by the construction, such as dust, would be temporary.
Furthermore, Mr. Motsamai appealed to the contractors to construct a bridge that would facilitate the crossing of Kgalapitse pupils to Oodi, enhancing connectivity and access to education.
