Page 2 - DoE_Supplement

Page 2 | Eastern Cape Department of Education Schools’ Infrastructure Supplement
Thriving despite the odds
Pro le: Storms River Primary
Storms River Primary is a full service primary school located at the far western side of the Eastern Cape overlooking the Tsitsikamma Mountains. The school is situated in the Koukamma municipality, next to the N2, in the heart of the picturesque Tsitsikamma. It is surrounded by an indigenous forest and is 15 km away from the biggest marine protected area, the Tsitsikamma National Park. It is also 20
km away from the world’s highest bungy jumping spot at the Bloukrans Bridge.
The school evolved from two church schools in Goesa which were established in 1939. In 2000, a new community was established, and the school moved to Storms River. For 18 years the school operated, initially in four RDP houses, and later in wood structures with no ablution facilities for the teaching staff.
Construction of the school’s infrastructure project started in 2016 and in June 2018 part of the new building was occupied. The new school, valued at over R51 million, boasts nine classrooms, a Grade R unit, administration block, kitchen with dining area, and a media centre. The school also has a standard size netball court, and rugby, soccer and athletic facilities.
Even though this is a no-fee paying school, the whole Grade 7 class of 2013 sat for the 2018 matric exams and achieved a pass rate of 98%. The school serves a
community with low income levels and most people are employed as labourers in the forestry industry, by the local tourism sector, or the local sawmill.
Learners bene t from the National School Nutrition Programme and the school’s thriving vegetable garden.
The school offers a healthy extracurricular programme which also includes cross country running, rugby, netball, cricket and mini-cricket, athletics, chess and soccer.
Providing universal access for all
Pro le: Sive Special School
Established in 1994, the same year
that our country became a democracy,
Sive Special school for the deaf had very little to celebrate. Located in the remote mountainous Maluti District, this once forgotten school, was the only one in the Alfred Nzo district which catered for hearing impaired learners. Access to the school
was extremely dif cult due to poor road conditions and learners from four classes were taught in a small hall which also served as a staff room, storage area and tv room. The school had no recreation facilities.
Over the years the community became discouraged by the poor infrastructure and learner enrolment dwindled.
In 2007 a strategic decision was taken to relocate the school to a central location in the small farming town of Cedarville in the Matatiele district.
Construction of the brand new Sive Special school was concluded in June
2018. The new school consists of eight classrooms; a 102-bed hostel; 34 toilets;
a multi-purpose centre; two technical workshops; and an administration block. The school also boasts almost a kilometre of secure fencing.
Back in 1994 the school had 25 learners. Today, 174 learners from Grade R to 11 are accommodated, with plans to include Grade 12 as from 2020. In tandem with the growth of the school, the teaching
and support staff has also grown to meet the demands of the special needs’ learners. As one of the few schools for the deaf in the Eastern Cape, the school is steadily growing and would require more infrastructural investment in the future.
Project quick facts
Project quick facts
District:
Emis No: Implementing Agent:
Allocated budget: Construction Period: Project completed:
Sarah Baartman Education District, Cacadu District Municipality 200100749 Department of Public Works
R 51.1 million 33 months January 2019
District:
Emis No: Implementing Agent:
Allocated budget: Construction Period: Project completed:
Alfred Nzo West 200501449 Independent Development Trust R124 million
54 months June 2018