Attention editors: please see attached English audio by MPP Baartman attached, and images of the visit here, here, and here.
Yesterday, members of the Western Cape Standing Committee on Education inspected newly-constructed facilities at Springdale Primary School and Summerdale High School in Lentegeur. Both of these schools have recently seen the construction of new classrooms as a result of the Western Cape Education Department’s Rapid Build Program, providing additional space for up to 530 additional learners.
At Springdale Primary, seven new fully-furnished classrooms were built at a cost of R9.7 million, providing space for a maximum of 280 learners. Four of these will be used by Grade 7 learners as they prepare for their transition to secondary schooling. The remaining three will be used for special education and support programs, including the WordWorks literacy program, teaching for Learners with Special Educational Needs, and lay counselling to assist learners in need.
Summerdale High School received five classrooms with space for a maximum of 250 learners. These were built at a cost of R7.2 million, including all fees and taxes, and will be used for Grade 10 and 11 students.
The impact of these facilities was palpable during the visit, with the Principal Brown of Springdale Primary School reporting that members of the SGB at the school had called the classrooms “mana from heaven”, and were “elated” with the new facilities. Similar sentiments were expressed at Summerdale, where the acting Principal reported that upon the school inviting community members to view the new classrooms, they had been so impressed by the new facilities that they had asked for upgrades at the existing facilities to be completed in the same manner.
The committee found both schools to be in a neat and clean condition, with both new and existing facilities well cared for. While there some teething issues due to the settling of the buildings, these are to be expected at a facility of its size; and these are already being attended to by the Department. Construction at both schools was completed using the innovative and cost-effective ‘Malodi’ construction method, which accounts in part for the rapid pace of construction.
DA Western Cape spokesperson on Education Deidré Baartman says: “Having heard so much about the planning and implementation of the Rapid Build program from the WCED, it is immensely gratifying to see the results realised on the ground. These facilities will make real, meaningful differences not only in the lives of learners, but also in the communities around these schools, and will endure for many years. I look forward to seeing these new classrooms take our schools to ever-greater heights.”