POLOKWANE – Bendor is set for a major addition to its education landscape as the preparations for a new high school has begun with the welcoming of its first learners, albeit at a different location for the time being.

The Education Department has confirmed that the school will, for now, operate from Capricorn High School’s premises while its permanent space is planned for construction set to start this year, in Outspan Drive. The estimated construction time is 36 months.

Department spokesperson Mike Maringa confirmed that, weather permitting, the project might be finalised within 18 months.

The construction of a school for Bendor was first confirmed in 2016 as part of efforts to increase the number of schools in the city and to meet the increasing population of learners.

Temporary start at Capricorn High premises

The temporary arrangement at Capricorn High School will allow teaching to continue until the finalisation of the new school, according to Maringa.

“Learners of Bendor High School will be using Webster gate, while those of Capricorn use Thabo Mbeki gate. This suggests that under no circumstance will the learners of Bendor High School and those of Capricorn share space,” he said.

Maringa confirmed the new school is a quintile five school: “This means it is a fee-paying school. Parents whose children are admitted are expected to pay monthly school fees,” he said.

School to offer traditional and tech-focused subjects

Principal Thabiso Mathipa confirmed the school will offer traditional academic subjects including physical and life sciences, history, accounting and mathematics.

Languages offered are English, Afrikaans and Sepedi at home language and first additional language levels.

The school will also offer technology-based subjects that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation while providing avenues in music, dramatic and visual arts.

The school’s first intake consists of 220 Gr 8 learners for the current academic year. Maringa added that placement has favoured those living in the immediate feeder area, with 95% of admitted learners residing in Bendor.

He also noted that the school will continue admitting learners who reside in its feeder zones. “The placement was done according to the addresses closer to the school. For now, the school will accept learners if their residential radius is close to the school,” he said.

Principal aims to build an excellent institution

For Mathipa, the opening of the new school is not just about buildings and subjects but the kind of culture the institution will build from its first cohort going forward.

“I am a firm believer that every institution looks like its leader. I look forward to leading a team that will be excellent to an extent that it will be a fishing pond for exceptional teachers in the sector across all levels,” he said.

Despite the delays in bringing the project to life, his confidence remains high that once completed, the school will fill an important gap in the suburb.

“People are often hesitant about new beginnings, but when the last stone is placed on our wall, many will agree that this was a great idea,” he concluded.