The DBE, in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), handed over Nkonkwana Junior Secondary School to the community of Willowvale in the Eastern Cape on 19 August 2015.
In 2011, the IDC adopted the school as a corporate social investment initiative. A budget of R20 million was made available to enhance the school facilities: eight (8) classrooms for 40 learners per class, an administration block, an ablution block, walkways, kitchen equipment and associated plumbing and drainage services.
Addressing the community, IDC CEO, Mr Godfrey Qhena, said that children deserve better learning environments. The CEO enlightened learners that it is education that can change their lives for the better, adding that they should study hard to realise their dreams. The CEO advised parents to assist the principal in ensuring that the new school remains safe and in mint condition.
Mr Qhena explained that the school building project was a challenging undertaking, however, “the project finally became a success story through the support of the principal and the community,” remarked Mr Qhena.
In her address, the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga, thanked the IDC for understanding that Government alone cannot address the backlog in school infrastructure alone. “This is in line with our belief that education is indeed a societal issue,” remarked the Minister.
“The school we are handing over today symbolises, in more ways than one, our collective commitment that never again shall our children learn under precarious conditions or unsafe buildings. The new revamped school is a testament that Government and the private sector are adamant about restoring the dignity and pride of this community. The new Nkonkwana Junior Secondary School will ignite excellence and allow our children to pursue their dreams beyond this village,” Minister Motshekga said.
The Minister stated that, despite the gains of the last 21 years since the dawn of democracy, more needs to be done to defeat patriarchy, male chauvinism and misogyny. The emancipation of women requires a multi-pronged strategy that will address the shortage of women on corporate boards, in senior management, in science, academia, technology, commerce in general and other sectors of society.
“The starting point for us in the education sector is to encourage more girl children to be at school for at least twelve years. Research indicates that the opening of classroom doors to all children, especially girls, helps to break the inter-generational chains of poverty.”
“Education empowers women and girls. The economic and personal empowerment that education provides allows them to make healthier choices for themselves and their families. The United Nations Population Fund confirms that the benefits of education for girls include a reduction in poverty and an improvement of the general health of women and their children, as well as the potential to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS (UNFPA, 2010)” explained the Minister.
