R34m school brings a smile

THE community of Ntongwana village in Lusikisiki yesterday celebrated the opening of a R34-million state-of-the-art school built to replace a mud structure.

KwaNondumiso Primary is the third school handed over by the provincial department of education just this week.

Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch MEC Mandla Makupula said: “Our work is about ensuring that even in the deepest rural communities pupils are able to access quality education and teaching and a proper structure is one step towards achieving those goals.”

In addition to the seven new classrooms, administration block, staffroom, principal’s office and storeroom, it now also has a fully equipped multimedia centre, science lab, library and nutrition centre complete with dining chairs.

Construction of the school took one year.

The MEC said the new infrastructure was important for motivating children to attend class.

“A proper structure brings order. The school is fenced so there is safety and security and we will no longer see livestock roaming the schoolyard and that brings respect and dignity, he said.

The MEC said local economic development was boosted by the employment of 16 local women and 39 local youths during construction, while all building material was local.

SGB deputy chairwoman Nontsapho Mkhombanto said: “This is a really beautiful building and we vow to maintain this standard for future generations so that our children’s children can also experience learning in a conducive environment, something many of us only dreamt of.” — ziphon@dispatch.co.za