1 April 2009
After years of suffering in make-shift structures or âpozzi hutsâ as
educators and learners referred to Sithabile Secondary School and Uthando
Primary School in Inanda, they can now enjoy fresh, completely new schools.
Sithabile Secondary school, which has a total enrolment of 1 216 learners,
started in 1992 in temporary structures. Now, after 16 years, they have moved
into a R27,8 million schools. The school comprises 28 classrooms, 12 boysâ
toilets, 12 girlsâ toilets, five toilets for educators and five toilets for
disabled learners. It also has one media centre, one computer centre, two
science laboratories, one administration block. The school is 95% complete and
the last final touches are being done.
A year before Sithabile was established, a primary school was founded also
in the Amatikwe area. Like Sithabile, the learners and educators of Uthando
Public Primary School had to make do with temporary structures until 2008, when
they could move into their brand-new triple storied school. The R18,4 million
project includes 24 classrooms, 12 boysâ toilets, 12 girlsâ toilets, two
toilets for educators, one toilet for the disabled, a media centre, computer
laboratory, administration block and nutrition block (kitchen and dining area).
Both schools have been fully fenced, electrified and have piped water.
âGoing to schoolâ has dramatically changed for the learners, educators and
the school community. Gone are the days of trying to learn in their school
shacks, facing blistering heat, freezing cold and raindrops through leaking
roofs.
It has been a long and tough road for the people of this area. This
government has not forgotten the community of this area and we are committed to
give a better life to all. Therefore, we will not rest until all our schools
are equal. We are very pleased that we could make a change in the lives of the
Sithabile and Uthando school communities. I am handing these projects over to
the learners, educators and parents to look after it, take care of it and make
it their own.
Issued by: Department of Education, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial
Government
1 April 2009
