Upgrade for Addington Primary

A MORE than R100 000 three-pronged refurbishment project has halted long-term decay at Addington Primary School on Durban’s beachfront, a facility serving some 1 500 pupils from predominantly disadvantaged and refugee backgrounds.

The project was facilitated by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) which provided a much-needed injection of R110 000 for the make-over of the school’s long-closed library, hall and adjacent ablution facilities.

Addressing guests at a function to mark the culmination of the triple refurbishment effort, SAMCT Trustee, Mr Abdul-Gaffar Osman, said: ” A good education system, supported by the necessary infrastructure to create the appropriate enabling environment is the backbone of any nation. South Africa is no exception in this regard, although we, in this country, face numerous challenges in the delivery of sound education and – in too many instances – critical problems with regard to school infrastructure.”

He added that it was vital to the pupils of today and the future to ‘make good’ on such shortfalls.

Commenting on the plight of Addington Primary School, Mr Osman said: “We recognise that Addington Primary School is a very large school and one providing a vital educational service to a socio-economically challenged community. As a consequence, it faces a constant financial battle to maintain and upgrade its infrastructure and teaching facilities. The principal and staff show incredible dedication and are totally committed to their vocation, in spite of having to constantly battle to overcome such daunting obstacles to effective teaching. Their efforts are to be greatly applauded and, in view of their commitment in the most trying of circumstances, coupled with the obvious needs to prevent decay, it was our pleasure and privilege to come to this school’s assistance.”