Excitement as former ‘mud’ school gets computer lab
PUPILS from Sonata Primary School are excited at being able to access computers for the first time in their school career.
Sonata, which a few years ago was a derelict mud structure with only two classes, was on the education department’s priority list to get a new building, and the overhaul has included not only a new computer centre but extra classrooms, an early childhood development centre and ablution facilities.
A memorandum of agreement between Anglo Gold Ashanti (AGA), the Eastern Cape department of education, O R Tambo district municipality and organised labour was signed, and in 2013, a brand new school was officially handed over to the community.
Phase one saw the mud structure replaced with six classrooms, an administration block and ablution facilities, and the school grounds were also fenced.
Speaking of behalf of O R Tambo municipality last week at the handover of phase two, councillor Nomthandazo Mdledle said the mud structure had no windows, exposing children to the elements.
“In pursuit of a better education, some of the parents elected to send their children to far-off schools, which resulted in long distances [being] travelled and this impacts on the children’s learning and mental vitality,” said Mdledle.
Previously the school had no administration blocks or kitchen facilities from which to operate the school feeding scheme. It also had no ablution facilities.
The cost of both phase one and two of the project was R4.3-million, of which AGA contributed R2.2-million. AGA social and institutional development fund donated another R265 000, of which R190 000 was used for paving the assembly area and R75 000 for school uniforms.
Department of education O R Tambo district director Thembani Mtyida said the school was established in 1994 and started with 111 pupils, “which has subsequently increased to 195 learners with three educators and a principal”.
He promised that the department would send additional teachers to the school in January. —