Dept hands over sixth school in Mthatha

The new school, Kwezilethu Senior Primary School in Mthatha, like others, was built under the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Development Initiative (ASIDI) Programme.

Basic Education spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi confirmed that Kwezilethu Senior Primary School was the sixth to be handed over.

He said the department adopted the one-school-a-week campaign. "We will be handing over a new school every week in the Eastern Cape until November this year," Lesufi said.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga launched the ASIDI programme in July this year.

Acting Government Communication and Information System CEO, Phumla Williams, last week said the programme was a clear commitment to government's initiative to improve the quality of education.

"This will enable government to shape the future leaders and create a skilled workforce that would contribute to South Africa's economic growth path," said Williams.

The programme aims to replace inappropriate school structures, address basic services backlogs and the provision of water and electricity.

The programme forms part of the government's National Infrastructure Plan - Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) 13, which involves the rebuilding of schools.

In total, about 50 schools are to be built through ASIDI programme to accommodate more than 10,000 learners in the Eastern Cape.

President Jacob Zuma has already opened four schools built as part of the programme in the Eastern Cape.

The R8.2bn public-private programme aims to eradicate the 496 mud schools in the country, provide water and sanitation to 1,257 schools and electricity to 878 schools by March 2016.