More work, less play at Siviwe!

While many Eastern Cape schools solemnly depend on the departmental assistance to effect any changes either in infrastructure, funding and fencing, such has not been the case with Siviwe Senior Primary school in Ndevana location outside King William’s town.

With only 13 days before it is officially opened, the 26 year old school which is currently getting a facelift, thanks to the strong leadership shown by teachers of this school who asked for this donation from the Public Works department. To date the school has fenced itself, with the help of the locals who funded and erected the fence themselves. 

According to the school principal, Singawuthi Luthuli, despite the school being located in a poor community, parents and locals in this area have made it their business to look after the school. 

“0f the 260 learners enrolled in this school, 200 of them depend on government grants for their leaving as they are either raised by single or grandparents. In addition, partnership and sponsorships with the locals have helped us to build a multi-purpose office that is used as a staffroom, computer centre, housing the Learner Teacher Support Material (LTSM) and school nutrition as the school does not have enough infrastructure,” said Luthuli.

Apart from the multi-purpose centre that was built from scratch by the locals with security gates and burglars for the office window, the principal’s office has also benefitted as the locals helped to secure it the security gates and burglars too.

Luthuli also reported that the current work of painting the school and renovating the improper structure is done by the Public Works department.

"The Public Works department has agreed to erect the plaque for the school.  Additionally, they also have given us nine painters to paint all the ten classrooms including the principal’s office. Six bricklayers are also on site to renovate parts of the structure that needs fixing. All the renovations and painting work that is scheduled to last ten days will cost the public works a whooping R50 thousand,” added Luthuli.

Siviwe senior primary is a feeder to three local schools that is Sontonga, Simzamile and Nompumelelo high. The school currently boasts with 260 enrolled learners and 10 educators as such it is one of the biggest of the three primary schools in this location.

Luthuli praised the locals for their unwavering support to the school but urged its former learners to help in any way they can to make the school learner friendly. “We appeal to our former learners to help us as we don’t have a playground for our learners, and our ablution facilities also need renovations as such any help to renovate them would be welcomed. They can either call me at anytime even during working hours at 083 711 5172, urged Luthuli.