23 September 2009
Hundreds of community members in Mthatha joined national and provincial dignitaries yesterday to celebrate the opening of a R15 million state-of-the- art school built to replace what used to be a mud structure.
The officials described the opening of the Zithulele Senior Primary School in Zimbane area as evidence that partnership between government and the private sector can be a success.
The school’s construction was made possible by the provincial Department of Education and Vodacom Foundation, which contributed R7,5 million each. It will also be used as a training centre for local community members and neighbouring schools.
Parents, who have been pleading with the department for a better school, said their prayers have been answered beyond their expectations.
“We wanted a proper school, but we never dreamt of something like this. We had been patient for years while our children were suffering from cold and hot conditions in the mud structures.
“We made it our business to keep mending those walls for our children to get education,” said Noxolile Dosini, who has been on the school governing body since 1992.
For 12 year old Grade 6 pupil Zinhle Saphepha, this means that she can now walk with pride to and from school.
“Pupils from other schools used to laugh at us for attending an ugly school. But now it is up to us to make sure that we focus on our lessons,” said Zinhle, who wants to be a doctor.
Besides 11 classrooms, the new school boasts computer and science laboratories, a nutrition room and a Grade R classroom.
The computer lab, which has 35 Internet connected computers, will also be available for neighbouring teachers, pupils and community members.
The nutrition centre will also be used to train mothers who cook for schools on how to cook and handle food.
Issued by: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
23 September 2009
Source: Department of Education, Eastern Cape Provincial Government, (http://www.ecdoe.gov.za/)
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