The North West Department of Education welcomes the second sitting of the National Portfolio Committee on Basic Education dated Monday, 24 March 2025, which follows a petition lodged in Parliament by concerned parents of learners at Leruntse Lesedi Secondary School in Virschgewaagdt near Atamelang, in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District.
The petition highlighted several critical infrastructural challenges affecting the school, including dilapidated toilet facilities, damaged classroom ceilings and tiles, the need for new classroom furniture, and the renovation of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) kitchen.
Following a thorough assessment, the Department has finalised its report, confirming that the school requires major renovations.
MEC for Education in the North West, Viola Motsumi, emphasises the Department’s dedication to sustainable solutions.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised by parents and SGB of Leruntse Lesedi Secondary School, and I want to assure the community that we are taking decisive action to address them. The well-being and education of our learners remain our top priority.
“While we have made progress with immediate interventions, we are also implementing long-term strategies to ensure that Leruntse Lesedi Secondary School and all schools in similar conditions receive the necessary support for quality education delivery”, expresses Motsumi.
To this end, a dedicated task team has been established, comprising officials from the Department of Education, the Department of Public Works, and the School Governing Body (SGB). The Department and the SGB are now working together to implement interventions that will restore the school’s infrastructure and learning conditions.
As an immediate measure, schooling was temporarily suspended for two weeks to facilitate urgent interventions, including the provision of mobile classrooms. To recover lost teaching and learning time, extra lessons have been administered to ensure that learners remain on track with the curriculum.
Additionally, the school has introduced a quarterly cleaning campaign, with parents volunteering to maintain the upkeep of the school.
Renovations at the school include refurbishing the administration block, repairing roofing structures, and paving key areas to enhance accessibility and safety. The Department of Public Works has been instrumental in implementing these improvements.
Commenting on the progress, the Head of the Department, Mr. Moss Kgantsi, states:
“We are satisfied that significant progress has been made in addressing the school’s infrastructure needs. Moreover, we have long-term plans to conduct a conditional assessment of all schools requiring prioritised renovations.”
The accountability session further focused on capacitating the SGB to take an active role in maintaining the school’s infrastructure, improving learner performance in Mathematics and Science, and completing the merger of Leruntse Lesedi Secondary School and Thusano Middle School into a single institution.
The Department remains committed to ensuring that all learners in the province have access to quality education in safe and conducive learning environments.
For more information please contact:
Mphata Molokwane Departmental Spokesperson
082 979 3638
Or
Bayanda Zenzile
Media Liaison Officer
082 307 6852
Or Elias Malindi
Acting Head of Communications
072 892 8399
