TEKWANE – Schools reopened lastweek and high school learners in this township and Lekazi were filled with enthusiasm, despite construction of Tekwane South Secondary School not having been completed.
As of Wednesday of last week the new school also offers tuition to grade 11s. Pupils who came to register during Lowvelder’s visit were excited, despite the premises still resembling a construction site.
Tekwane South Secondary partially opened in the middle of last year, offering classes to learners from grades 8 to 10. A teacher explained that the school focused on science and commerce. The number of teachers were expected to increase from eight to about 10 this year, depending on the final enrolment figures.
It was supposed to be completed at the start of the 2014 school year. A year later most classrooms had been completed. Science and computer laboratories as well as the hall, staff room, kitchen and amphitheatre were not finished. Apparently the goal was to have these finished by the end of the month.
Steel contractor Mr Gert Snyman said it was feasible for the school to be completed by the end of the month. He said last year’s strike in the steel-manufacturing sector delayed construction and resulted in a lack of availability of some structures. He added that the amount of steel needed for construction was initially undercalculated, adding to the delays.
Mr Jo Koster, chief whip for the opposition on Mbombela council said laying out sports fields would be crucial for the learners’ development.
“When you develop a school you develop it in its entirety. Learners need activity for development. The absence of a library and sports fields in particular worries me. The lack of prioritisation regarding this school is totally unacceptable for the well-being of the community.”
Following an attack on two pupils last year, the province had allocated R20 million in its adjustment budget in November to also construct a new high school in Tekwane North. A tender for the construction was put out in November.
Mr Jasper Zwane, spokesman for the Department of Education, did not comment.
