Masivuke Primary School in Philippi is relieved to have four new classrooms for their Grade 4 and 5 pupils.
The classrooms were built as part of a pilot project using panels instead of bricks and cement.
According to the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), this is a new building innovation that is quicker and cheaper but safe.
Principal Siphokazi Lobese said the school had a serious shortage of classrooms.
She said all classes were full and congested with 55 children in one class.room.
She said she did not take the shortage of classes lightly and approached the WCED for help.
Fortunately, the department responded positively and offered to construct the four classes using the new method of building.
MEC for Education Debbie Schafer visited the school on Monday April 23 to inspect the completed classrooms.
“This new pilot project has been of help to us. There is no brick and mortar but they use panels and put the mud inside. It was very quick and easy to do,” she said.
Ms Lobese was happy that her children would soon have decent shelter.
She said the mobile classrooms they had used were not conducive to teaching and learning as they were prone to became very hot and very cold.
“Even the children would tease each other about them. Those who are in brick classrooms who tease those who are in the mobile, saying they are learning in shacks. Now I have no doubt that this will encourage them to work hard and attain good results at the end of the academic year,” said the excited principal.
She thanked the WCED and promised to do well. “We do not have enough words to thank the MEC and her department.
“We will have to display our gratitude by producing excellent results,” said Ms Lobese.
Ms Schafer said her department had to look at alternative ways to build quicker and cheaper but maintaining a quality standard. “This is how we make the department’s money to go further.
“Without reducing the quality and safety in our school we had to look at new ways to build schools. It brings costs down, it is quicker but very safe,” she said.
The school said they would soon announce when the pupils would move into the new classrooms.