Chinese Government provides RMB 10 million grant for Serowe and Maun Primary School Construction Project

Project narrative

On December 3, 2007, the Chinese Government and the Government of Botswana signed an RMB 10 million RMB grant agreement for the Serowe and Maun Primary School Construction Project. China’s Ambassador to Botswana Ding Xiaowen and Botswana’s Finance Minister Baledzi Gaolathe signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments. Then, on February 11, 2008 and February 13, 2008, the Chinese Government and the Government of Botswana signed an exchange of notes regarding the project. The proceeds from the RMB 10 million grant were earmarked for the construction of two primary schools: Dinokwane Primary School in the town of Serowe within Botswana's Central District and Kubung Primary School in the town of Maun within Botswana’s Ngamiland District. Each school was to include classroom blocks, library, kitchen, staff offices and outdoor sport facilities. Qingjian Group (Qingdao Construction Group) was the contractor responsible for implementation. It signed a construction contract on October 29, 2008. Construction itself began on May 30, 2008, and ended on June 3, 2009 after passing an inspection test. An official handover ceremony for the schools was then held on September 25, 2009.