Joza scho

Two Grahamstown (Makhanda) primary school principals are thrilled that work is set to start this week on early childhood development centres (ECDS) at their schools. The sites were handed over to contractors during meetings on Tuesday 7 August 2018.

When the 2020 intake of Grade Rs take their first excited steps into Samuel Ntlebi and NV Cewu primary schools in Joza’s Ward 2, they should be enjoying dedicated ECD facilities.

A third school in Ward 2, CM Vellem Primary, has also been identified for Grade R facilities; however, they have hit some stumbling blocks in the land allocation process. Three separate contractors were to have begun work on 2 August.

Grade R is the first year of the foundation phase of outcomes-based education at public primary schools. Based on the Schools Act it is for children age four turning five by 30 June in the year of admission. The Department of Basic Education committed to introducing compulsory Grade R by 2019.

Dumakazi Myemane has taught at Samuel Ntlebi Primary School for 21 years and will be retiring soon.

The Grade R block at Samuel Ntlebi was supposed to have been completed in 2015. With 42 Grade Rs this year and no proper furniture, toilets or playground for the little ones, it’s been a struggle.

“It’s a great relief to have this built,” Myemane said.

The contractor at Samuel Ntlebi is East London based company Memoir. Site agent Pula Dlamini estimates the project will take seven months to complete.

Ward 2 councillor Rami Xonxa, Deputy Principal Mhumeza Mqubuli and contractor Thanduxolo Zuka stand outside the converted toilet block where around 80 Grade R pupils are currently accommodated at NV Cewu Primary. Photo: Sue Maclennan

NV Cewu principal Phumeza Mqubuli was also thrilled. The school has two Grade R classes this year and a total of 80 children are accommodated in a converted toilet block.

Contractor Thanduxolo Zuka of East London based Basadzi Contruction said with