The eradication of mud schools in the Eastern Cape province is in full swing as communities are now receiving proper structure which will ensure that learners are taught in a conducive teaching and learning environment from the education department.
Recently, Matyantya village in Lady Frere received the newly constructed Nonesi Senior Primary School worth R2.4 million. The newly constructed Nonesi senior primary school consist of three classrooms, a staff room, seven learners’ toilets, two educator’s toilets, a storeroom and fencing for the entire school.
The school principal, Nokwanda Kelembe believes the provision of this infrastructure by the department will ease their teaching woes. Despite the fact that the school construction took less than a year, as it’s the construction started early in 2012, as such by January, it has been functional. “I am very elated for what the ECDoE has done except for minor challenges and the teacher shortage. Currently we have six teachers including myself, and the ECDoE is transferring two teachers," said Kelembe.
She feels that the provision of these educators will lessen the load on her shoulders as she teaches some classes, manages the school and also doing all the administration work. Since this is a senior primary, Kelembe hopes to see the growth that would see the school grades five to grade six.
Attending the event was also Education Portfolio Committee member, Michael Peter, who conveyed the MEC Mandla Makupula’s message. “This school structure is one way of fulfilling some of the children’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa. The department is very committed in ensuring that there is an educator in front of every learner as a result our Legislature has voted for it to receive a big chunk of the provincial budget with an aim to employ and pay teacher salaries or 2013/14,” said Peter.
He also pointed out the importance of using proper passenger ferrying vehicles instead of using vans and bakkies to transport the learners as they are not suitable for the job. Peter allayed the communities that the department is attending the issue of teacher shortages. “A total number of 2724 will be made permanent and will have 1876 left in the basket. This huge number will ensure that learners have teachers ready to teach them in every classroom,” added Peter.
He unveiled the plaque and declared the school opened and after all that, communities were treated to a feast.
