Help bring school to former glory

FORMER pupils of a century-old Kwadukuza school are looking to raise over half a million rand to restore their alma mater to its former glory.

A call has been made to Stanger Secondary School’s present and former staff members, ex-pupils and their families to contribute to the “Adopt a Classroom” campaign as part of the school’s centenary year.

The campaign is aimed at maintaining as many classrooms as possible and would involve painting, repairs to doors, windows, light switches, chalkboards, among other things.

“These repairs may have to be done only once every few years. It is intended that a plaque bearing the sponsor’s family name will appear near the door of the classroom, said Muthukrishnan Sambiah, treasurer of the ex-pupils committee.

He said as it was a milestone celebration, ex-pupils together with the school would be holding a number of events to celebrate.

“It is sad to report that the school is in a serious state of disrepair.

The old block where so many of us received our education is no longer in use. The poor state is because regular repair and maintenance had not been done.

“We make an earnest appeal for cash contributions to go towards the repairs of the school,” said Sambiah.

Premlall Maharaj, a former pupil of the class of ’69, said they needed over R500000 to restore the current classes that were being used.

“There has been a positive response thus far. Quite a few classes have been adopted. We cannot wait for the department to fix the school, as a community, we have taken the initiative to restore our alma mater. The late former minister of education, Kader Asmal, was a product of the institution. Current pupils and the school governing body are looking at raising funds to make a bust of Asmal to be installed in the quadrangle,” said Maharaj.

People wanting to make a contribution, can contact Mr Sambiah on 084 529 5307.