Central SA
Northern Cape Education prioritises poor schools' infrastructure─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 10:31 Wed, 21 Jun 2023
Seven schools are being built in the Northern Cape to address lingering issues of poor school infrastructure within the province, while others are being refurbished.
The schools that are being built include Barkley Rooirand Primary School, State of the Art New School Redirile, Bankhara Bodulong Off-Shoot Primary School, Dithakong New School and Hostel, Kuruman New English Medium Secondary School, Magojaneng New Secondary School and Cillie Primary School.
The province is amongst those that have had several infrastructure challenges leading to the closure of schools such as the Hantam High School which was deemed unconducive for teaching and learning.
ALSO READ: Infrastructure leads to closure of Northern Cape school
During his budget vote delivered at the Provincial Legislature in Kimberley on Tuesday, Zolile Monakali explained that the Northern Cape currently has 46 schools that are classified as partially inappropriate structures, where the structures and roofs also need to be replaced, and 43 schools of which the structures are classified as entirely inappropriate. He said the number includes schools that are situated in the Asbestos Belt. Monakali revealed that the refurbishment process at 89 schools is expected to cost R3.9 billion and replacement of these multi-capital year infrastructure projects solely depends on the availability of funds.
“Four replacement schools are in various stages of construction; this includes Carlton van Heerden Secondary School and the Oranje-Oewer Intermediate School in the ZF Mgcawu District, Petrusville Primary School in the Pixley Ka Seme District and the Rietrivier Primary School in the Frances Baard District,” he added.
Monakali further stated that his department is exploring new and cutting-edge solar projects, sanitation alternatives, and alternative modern and innovative building technologies.
“To encourage the disposal of grey water, upgrade infrastructure, and safeguard it from vandalism, the department continues to adapt and improve the standard designs and specifications.
“Due to the state of our school infrastructure, the department prioritised the maintenance of school facilities as a whole, instead of maintaining them as an emergency or just a portion of a school, which led to the maintenance plan that can be implemented every seven years.”
