public schools
3 February 2009
Yesterday, 2 February 2009, ArcelorMittal South Africa launched a programme
to build ten new schools costing R250 million over seven years.
The launch and sod turning ceremony took place at Meetsi a Bophelo Primary
School in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria.
Meetsi a Bophelo (Water of life) Primary Schools is the first school to be
built and is expected to cost R39 million.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Pandor said, âThe role and participation
of the private sector is critical to the success of our quest to provide
resources to our schools. Public private partnerships are important in order
that basic services reach all communities. This is a partnership that we
encourage and support. It helps to improve the quality of the education system.
An investment in education is an investment in the future. This donation
clearly illustrates the commitment of our businesses community to
education.â
Meetsi a Bophela Primary is scheduled for completion by the end of the
year.
The remaining nine schools, two in the Eastern Cape and one in each of the
other provinces, will be built over the next seven years.
For ArcelorMittal the Mamelodi project is part of its strategy of investing
heavily in skills development, training and education. This strategy includes
promoting maths and science skills at high schools; an extensive bursary
programme for artisans, engineers and other technical skills; and upgrading the
skills of its own employees.
This investment not only ensures that the company has a pool of skilled
resources for its own operations, but also contributes towards addressing the
skills shortage in the country in general. Under government's Joint Initiative
on Priority Skills Acquisition (Jipsa) programme ArcelorMittal is one of the
companies that has committed itself to producing more artisans than it needs
for its own businesses. ArcellorMittal's CEO, Nonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita
explained, âArcelorMittal is focused on developing a strong mathematics,
science and technology culture amongst schools. The company's array of
education initiatives is geared towards improving education within targeted
communities, promoting scientific literacy and enhancing performance at
secondary school level in order to benefit the wider economy.â
âThis investment in primary education in a way completes the circle and we
now have a fully integrated education and skills strategy in place upon which
we can structure future investments.â
In a first for South Africa, all these schools will be built using insulated
panels technology, which relies heavily on steel as a building material. It can
withstand extreme weather conditions, is fire resistant and ten times faster to
erect than using conventional building technologies.
Notes to Editors
* ArcelorMittal South Africa has over the past three years invested R22
million in a science centre and a centre of excellence in a renovated teacher's
college in the Sebokeng township. The centre offers facilities for both
learners and educators to upgrade their knowledge of science, mathematics and
information technology and is offered to 43 secondary schools in the Sedibeng
West District
* In December 2008 ArcelorMittal South Africa signed a memorandum of
understanding with the Western Cape Department of Education for the development
of a science centre in the Vredenburg and Saldanha Bay area at an estimated
cost of R6 million and will be operational by the second half of 2009.
* Since 1996, government has constructed over 2,233 new schools and 73,214
additional classrooms, provided 6,297 schools with water, 2,242 with
sanitation, and 11,574 with electricity.
* In 2007 the education infrastructure budget was R3.9 billion. In 2009 it
is set to balloon to R5.6 billion. In 1998 the education infrastructure budget
was R481 million.
Lists of ten schools recommended for the programme:
1. Meetsi a Bophela Primary, Mamelodi East (Pretoria
2. Sizwe Primary, Newcastle
3. Xonyeni Primary, Mqanduli
4. Bongolwethu, Nyanga
5. Kgethatsebo Sen Sec Tsiame, Harrismith
6. Phakame Middle School Kagung, Kgalagadi
7. Msinyane Combined, Springbokraal
8. Madiba High School, Mafikeng
9. JS Skenjana Senior Secondary, Dutywa
10. Burgersdorp Junior Secondary, Burgersdorp
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
Tel: 012 312 5538
Cell: 082 566 0446
E-mail: ngqengelele.l@doe.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Education
3 February 2009
