Johannesburg – Gauteng MEC of Education Panyaza Lesufi on Monday, opened the newly constructed Bophelong Secondary School in Emfuleni valued at R84 million.
“This is the first school that will prepare our children to be decent learners. The future of the country is technology,” MEC Lesufi said when he addressed the learners of the new Bophelong Secondary School.
The information technology based facility will cater for 1 200 learners from Grade 8 up to Grade 12. About 160 pupils in grades 8 and 9 are expected to attend the school when it officially opens in January 2017.
“The provision of schools with modern facilities in townships will go a long way to improve and transform the quality of education in the townships. It will also change the township economy,” said Lesufi.
Lesufi and MEC of Infrastructure Development, Jacob Mamabolo, were given a tour of the facility before officially unveiling the school.
“The school design follows a new template for secondary schools, which among others include smart classrooms, smart science labs, sports facilities, and green facilities,” Mamabolo said during the ceremony.
Mamabolo encouraged the learners and parents to look after the school and to not destroy it should there be service delivery protests.
Earlier, Lesufi signed the National Senior Certificate examination pledge with Matriculants at the current Bophelong Secondary School location. He encouraged the learners to study and told them that he met with parents and discussed allowing their children to dedicate more time to studying and doing less house chores.
Lesufi read through the pledge with the learners, which included upholding the principles of honesty and integrity.
African News Agency