Pic:; Education MEC Cathy Dlamini reading the plaque
By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Education is the right to all, how ever it can never be good and enjoyable when the structure is not good.
In a bid to improve the conditions for learning and teaching in the province, Mpumalanga MEC for Education, Cathy Dlamini, handed over a state-of-the-art Phulani Secondary School in Bushbuckridge Local Municipality on Thursday 5 September.
MEC Dlamini said the Department is of a strong view that the overall performance of learners is significantly encouraged by improved school infrastructure. She acknowledged the cooperation and contribution by the Department of Public Works, Roads & Transport(DPWR&T), and said the Department of Education is looking forward to handover more completed projects.
“ The Department has set aside R80 million towards the eradication of pit latrines throughout the Province. Equally, the Department has set aside R1.4 billion to accelerate the construction of new schools and to render maintenance to the existing schools. If the environment is favourable, learners get motivated to wake up early in the morning and run to school.” said MEC Dlamini.
She expressed disappointment and anger regarding the news that the same school was broken into just a few days before it was officially handed over to the community. The said the culprits must be exposed as enemies of progress.
“ Communities must guard against any form of vandalism, theft and trafficking of weapons to this school. To this end, we are here in our numbers to urge the community not to allow criminals to rob our children of their constitutional right to education. Those who broke into this school must be found, handed to the law enforcement institutions,” Dlamini lamented.
The MEC said learner performance is expected to improve immensely and she believes that the school will now be in a good position to reclaim its glory days.
