Ramotswa School for the Deaf has gone six months without running water after the WUC disconnected the supply over an unpaid P3 million bill
TEFO PHEAGE
Students and staff at the Ramotswa School for the Deaf have endured six months without running water, a development that has raised serious concerns about hygiene, health, and the learning environment.
This comes after the Botswana Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) disconnected the school’s water supply over a P3 million unpaid bill in May this year, according to school authorities.
EFFORTS TO RESOLVE THE CRISIS
“We have tried all avenues in vain to settle the bill, and have informed the ministry and all relevant stakeholders. Efforts are underway to resolve the issue,” said the school spokesperson, Basadibotlhe Rebinatshipi.
She added that the centre is struggling financially as donor funding continues to decline and government subventions remain inadequate.
This is not the first time the school has experienced a water supply cut. It previously suffered a similar disconnection in May 2014 due to three years of arrears amounting to P608,000.
DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS
School authorities say they have appealed for leniency given the vulnerable nature of the students — all in vain. Staff members report that the lack of water has disrupted daily routines, including sanitation, food preparation, and basic cleaning.
During a recent visit by this publication, students were seen carrying buckets on their heads, fetching water from an on-campus bouncing tank, while an inspection of the toilets revealed deplorable conditions.
STUDENTS’ WELFARE AT RISK
“The majority, if not all, of the deaf students enrolled at the school live in hostels within the institution, and their welfare is at risk,” said a teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We have not been maintaining hygiene or safe drinking water for six months.” Staff members recently went on a go-slow but later resumed classes, according to insiders.
Attempts to reach the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) and the Ministry for comment were unsuccessful at the time of going to press. The Minister of Basic Education, Nonofo Kgafela, had not yet responded to our enquiries before publication.