Learners at Perseverance Secondary School in Belhar will step into brand-new classrooms today thanks to the rollout of the Western Cape Education Department’s (WCED) Rapid School Build Programme.
The school, which has been in existence for 35 years, has been extended for the use of the newly-built 12 classrooms, an art lab, a kitchen and a multi-purpose media centre.
Principal Farren Duminy told Daily Voice: “It’s like the birth of a new school. The old part of the school is 35 years old and being able to welcome our learners to this new section on their first day of school is something to be so proud of.”
Manager of the new section, Ricardo April, says: “We are all excited for the learners and their parents to see this new section. It’s the start of a big school for Belhar.”
Clive Truter from WCED Rapid School Build Programme handed over the 72-working days project to the school.
He says: “We started working on construction on 3 October 2023. We would like to thank the security and staff for their support and patience.”
WCED’s Bronagh Hammond says: “It is one of three new junior high schools just completed. It is part of the Rapid School Build programme. It is a brick-and-mortar school consisting of 12 classrooms.”
Education MEC David Maynier says they are doing everything they can to build new schools at a faster rate than ever before through the Rapid School Build programme.
Maynier adds: “Despite a massive R716.4 million blow to our education budget in the Western Cape, our officials and contractors have worked hard throughout the holiday period to ensure that we expand the number of places available for the learners we’ve already received applications for, and to prepare for the expected late applications received since 1 January 2024.
“We are building 10 new schools and three replacement schools in the 2024 school year, and we are currently putting the finishing touches on our new junior high schools in Belhar, Fisherhaven, and Kwanokuthula, as part of our Rapid School Build programme.”
dailyvoice@inl.co.za