Botha-Bothe Highlights Challenges and Resilience at ‘Back to School’ Celebration

While schools across the country gathered to mark the “Back to School” event as mandated by the Ministry of Education and Training, the district of Botha-Bothe chose to celebrate the day with Malefiloane Primary School.

Located in the outskirts of Botha-Bothe, Malefiloane Primary School currently serves 288 students, supported by seven teachers and a principal who oversee its daily operations. Despite its vital role in the community, the school faces significant challenges that threaten its ability to provide a safe and conducive learning environment.

During the celebration, the school’s principal, Mrs. Mataaso Ramatsoku, highlighted some of the persistent issues affecting the institution. Among them are vandalism and theft, which have become pressing concerns.

Mrs. Ramatsoku shared that the school has been growing vegetables to support both students and staff, but these crops are frequently vandalized by community members during after-school hours and holidays. “We are trying to create a self-sustaining environment where students and teachers benefit from the produce, but this effort is undermined by acts of vandalism,” she said.

She also recounted a troubling incident in which seven apple trees, donated to the school, were uprooted and stolen. These trees had been intended to enhance the school’s grounds and provide additional resources for the community.

“I even had to involve the police, who condemned these acts and warned that those responsible would face arrest,” Mrs. Ramatsoku explained. “Thankfully, the situation has stopped for now, and we are grateful to the police for their intervention and continued support to ensure the school grounds are secure. However, we believe the school urgently needs a fence to provide maximum security.”

The celebration of “Back to School” at Malefiloane Primary School highlighted both the resilience of the school community and the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect its resources. The event served as a reminder of the importance of collaboration between schools, communities, and authorities to create a safe and supportive educational environment.