WCED Still on Track to Meet Its Infrastructure Objectives

In order to meet the growing demand for schools in the Delft area, two primary schools and two high schools are currently being built in Delft as part of the Western Cape Education Department's (WCED) infrastructure plan. Minister Grant visited the construction sites of two new schools in Delft on Tuesday.

Three of these schools are already in operation in temporary facilities.

New housing developments and an increase in the community's population in 2008 led to an urgent need for schools in the area to meet the community's growing needs.

To meet this demand, in January 2009, the WCED decided to open three new schools in the area - two primary schools, Aberdare Primary and Hindle Road West Primary, and one high school, Hindle Road Secondary. Mobile classrooms were erected to accommodate the learners, educators and staff.

It was soon evident that this could only be a temporary arrangement and, by the end of 2009, the WCED began planning the construction of four new "brick and mortar" schools in the area that would be able to ease the demand for admission to schools in Delft, as well as provide a safe and suitable learning environment for the educators and learners.

Construction on each of the four new schools began in April 2010. The expected date of completion is by the end of July 2011. It is hoped that each of the three existing schools will be able to occupy their new buildings by the start of the fourth term, with planned migration during the September school holidays so as not to disrupt teaching and learning.

The two primary schools have been designed to accommodate over 1 100 learners and include, amongst other things, 28 classrooms, a computer lab, library, school hall, six offices and two specialist rooms. Two Grade R classrooms have also been built. Currently, both schools teach learners from Grade 1 to 7, but in 2011, the schools will introduce Grade R learners for the first time.

Both the schools will have sporting facilities and have been built at the cost of approximately R32 million each.

Hindle Road Secondary will accommodate over 1 200 learners. The school's new facilities include 27 classrooms, three specialist rooms, five laboratories, a library and two computer rooms. A school hall, sports facilities, storerooms and offices are also included.

The projected cost of this school is R36 million.

Hindle Road Secondary currently accommodates learners from Grades 8 to 11. In 2012, the school will expand to Grade 12.

The fourth high school is the new technical high school which will also accommodate over 1 200 learners. The school is expected to enroll Grade 8 and 9 learners at the start of the 2012 school year.

Given its focus on technical subjects such as mechanical, electrical and civil engineering, the school has three workshops, six specialist rooms and four laboratories. The school facilities will also include a library, two computer rooms, 27 classrooms, a school hall, sports facilities and the relevant administrative offices.

Because of the school's specialist facilities, the projected cost is higher than that of Hindle Road Secondary, at approximately R40 million.

"I am extremely excited to see the completion of each of these projects and look forward to their opening their doors in the coming months," said Grant.

"As with all new schools, we expect that their empty new classrooms will soon be transformed into hubs of teaching and learning, where learners and educators are safe and secure, and where quality learning is taking place."

"I would also like to make a special appeal to the community of Delft to help protect and secure these schools. Burglary and vandalism are a reality in this area and I sincerely hope that all roleplayers in the community support these schools and protect these learners' rights."