Africa-Press – South-Africa. Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube officially handed over new classrooms and a refurbished computer lab to Hitekani Primary School in Soweto on Thursday, marking another step in strengthening public–private partnerships in education.
The project, funded by the MTN Foundation and ATC South Africa, aims to give pupils in under-served communities access to safe, modern and conducive spaces for learning.
Principal Vhusa Alfred Ngoveni said the donation would ease overcrowding.
“Most of our classes are overcrowded. We hope by having the three new classes, we’re going to have normal classroom and teacher ratio. I think now it’s going to be 1:30 in a class,” he said.
Ngoveni added that the refurbished lab, fitted with 24 laptops and internet connectivity, would give pupils essential skills.
“Learners are going to acquire basic computer skills, which will help them when they further their studies. They will already have basic computer skills,” he said.
MTN South Africa’s CFO, Dineo Molefe, said the handover was about more than buildings.
“What is happening today might seem like another classroom, but actually represents a future home,” she said.
She also praised teachers, saying: “You have no idea how much you shape society, how much you shape lives, how much you shape people. We are standing here because as a teacher, you invested in us as young children.”
Gwarube thanked partners for their contribution and highlighted the importance of early learning.
“If we don’t get the foundation of learning right, we are not going to get the education system right,” she said.
“We know that 80% of children who get to grade 4 cannot read and read for meaning. It doesn’t matter whether you introduce coding and robotics, if a child cannot read meaningfully, we are forever going to be behind.”
The minister said the government was committed to working with partners to ensure schools are “safe, dignified, and fit for purpose”.
“It’s not just about the classroom, it’s not just about a computer lab, but it’s about literally transforming a child’s life, being able to dream bigger and being able to have access to a lot more than they happen to have.”
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