Johannesburg – MEC of Infrastructure Development Nandi Mayathula-Khoza revealed on Wednesday that the new Chief Albert Luthuli Primary School in Daveyton cost the Gauteng government R92.9 million to build.
“The construction of the school started in February 2015. They were given under a year and I’m happy to say that it’s 98% complete. The school is ready for occupation,” said Mayathula-Khoza.
The MEC said that only a few of the facilities still needed to be completed.
“There were challenges in the community … many people wanted to be employed and community leaders had to assist us in order for those with the skill to work.”
Mayathula-Khoza said the school has green initiatives, which the department believes will play a part in alleviating the negative effects of climate change.
“The school has solar heaters, roof insolation, glazing which maximizes the light in classes, and energy-saving light bulbs which last up to seven years.”
Thirty-two smart classrooms have been built at the new Chief Albert Luthuli Primary School, where learners will be use tablets.
Speaking at the opening of the school on Wednesday, Gauteng Premier David Makhura said the government was preparing a new generation for a new world by rolling out hi-tech schools.
He said Chief Albert Luthuli Primary School represented the future.
Makhura said the e-learning classrooms rolled out last year were monitored closely, due to their success and they were being taken further.
“We are preparing a new generation to a new world.”
He said that the opening of the school was part of the grand plan not only in education, but in health care and infrastructure.
“We want to build an innovated economy … we believe in the transformation of the townships.”
The new teaching methods and accessing of information represent the future we yearn for, Makhura said.
He said 18 new schools had been built so far. However, Makhura said the infrastructure department was under pressure because clinics and other infrastructure needed to be built or repaired.
“If we forget about education we must forget about the future,” warned Makhura.
The premier said the new hi-tech school in Dayveton was a sign of investment in a “different generation and cleverer workers”.
African News Agency