In the morning before the official handover parents together with Gauteng Department of Education officials and members of the community and faith based organisations embarked on a clean-up operation at the school.
The partnership between Tshebedisano Primary School and The Star Teach Fund is an effort to improve the quality of education in townships. The administration block was officially handed over on Tuesday by the MEC and Moegsien Williams of the Star. The block houses a staff room, the principal's office, a reception area and a sick bay for learners.
The 25 year old project between the school and newspaper is one of several such public-private partnerships throughout the province, says MEC Creecy who lauded the impact they have had on the development of infrastructure in our schools. “We have the passion to develop the school and we want our children to become star achievers,” said Phillip Mokgojoa the principal of the school.
“ It's about more than just bricks and mortar – it's about building an institution, a professional house of learning, in which educators, learners and community can take pride. The school looks good now. The children are happy and the teachers are motivated.” MEC Creecy challenged educators at the school to produce good results at the end of this year.
“We hope this administration block will help in the daily running of the school,” said Creecy “My department is already working hard to improve reading and mathematical skills amongst primary school pupils by 2014,” she further said.
The department is focussing on improving maths and literacy at the foundation phase in our school. Schools will write external exams in grade 3, 6 and 9. Williams said The Star wanted to challenge other companies to also adopt schools in the townships to develop infrastructure so that parents can have quality education at their doorstep.
Issued by: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
9 February 2010
Source: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.education.gpg.gov.za/)
