The atmosphere in Mdakeni village, situated deep in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, was significantly brightened as Thabatha SPS, a new school built at a cost of R14.2 Million was officially handed over to the Lusikisiki community.
Because the previous school only had three rondavels used as classrooms, some of the community’s children had to walk long distances to neighbouring areas to acquire basic education as there was insufficient space to accommodate them. The old school, which had been built through community contributions, had been the only school in the village since 1990.
The school now features seven new classrooms, a multipurpose hall, kitchen facilities, a sick bay, library, a computer lab fitted with 27 laptops, an ECD centre, a jungle gym and an administration block. The new school will be used as a centre of excellence to ignite the learners’ passion in Maths and Science.
A member of the School Governing Body (SGB), speaking on behalf of the school and the community, expressed their delight declaring that Government had turned their village into a “town”. The SGB member further stated that the school came at the right time as it would assist children in responding to the demands of technology in their day to day life.
“At least our children will be equipped with relevant skills that will open doors of success in higher institutions of learning,” added the SGB representative. Speaking at the event MEC for Eastern Cape Local Government, Mr Mlibo Qoboshiyane said “It is time to deliver better education through ASIDI schools.
Let us use the new school to cultivate a culture of learning, respect and determination for improving quality education.” Mr Qoboshiyane called on parents to instil discipline in their children in order to foster a culture of discipline in schools.
The MEC believes that if children are raised well at home the chances for success are automatically increased. He decried the breakdown of discipline in the classroom as evidenced by recent shocking press reports of learners attacking educators. “It is not about the harvest you reap but about the seed you plant,” concluded Mr Qoboshiyane.
The event was in line with ASIDI’s stated goal of handing over one school a week to local communities until the end of the school year. ASIDI forms part of SIP 13 of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC).
