Pupils and educators at Hawston Primary are rejoicing that repairs to their school has finally started after nearly 18 months.
The kids and onnies had to vacate their newly built school in July 2015 after several structural faults were discovered.
Students were first housed in church halls across the small dorpie before they were moved into temporary classrooms erected at the edge of the town.
School Principal Julius Swart says they can’t wait for repairs to be completed so they can move out of the sweltering heat of the temporary buildings.
“In winter it is vrek koud and in summer it’s sweltering,” he says.
“We work with kids from as young as five and they are becoming ill because we are next to the sewerage plant and the rubbish dump is down the road so obviously we can’t wait to move,” says Swart.
However, repairs are only set to be completed next year.
Byron La Hoe, spokesperson for the Department of Public Works, says the repairs, which will cost about R38 million are set to be completed mid-2017.
“Repairs to cracks that appeared in walkways, halls, classrooms and computer rooms will be done,” says La Hoe.
Meanwhile, repairs which will cost about R15.5m are also being done at Masakhane Primary School in Gansbaai.
“Construction works at Masakhane Primary School commenced in July and are expected to be complete by early 2017 for handover to the WCED,” explains La Hoe.