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Zuma to open two new East Cape schools

MAKING PROGRESS: Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga and her spokesman Panyaza Lesufi. Photo: Mohau Mofokeng
MAKING PROGRESS: Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga and her spokesman Panyaza Lesufi. Photo: Mohau Mofokeng

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma is expected in the Eastern Cape this week to hand over two newly built schools to communities in the Transkei.

Zuma will be accompanied by Department of Basic Education (DBE) Minister Angie Motshekga.

DBE spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said in a statement that Zuma and Motshekga would be handing over schools in Libode today and Lusikisiki tomorrow.

The schools, Mphathiswa Senior Primary School in Libode and Dakhile Junior Secondary School in Lusikisiki, are part of the first batch of 49 mud schools identified and earmarked for rebuilding this year.

These were built through a service delivery agreement with the Development Bank Southern Africa (DBSA), as part of the accelerated schools infrastructure development initiative (Asidi).

The Asidi programme seeks to eradicate all mud schools and inappropriate structures, as well refurbish dilapidated and poorly equipped schools.

Lesufi said Asidi's plans for 2011-2014 would eradicate and replace 496 mud schools, provide water and sanitation to 1257 schools and electricity to 878 schools.

"A total of 12450 learners in the districts of Libode, Lusikisiki and Mthatha will benefit from Asidi. Of the 16 contractors appointed to construct the 49 schools, 69% are based in the Eastern Cape," Lesufi said.

"The project has created 2829 temporary employment opportunities with the use of 109 small, medium and micro enterprises subcontracted for the project."

He said a total of R8.2-billion had been budgeted for Asidi for the period 2011-2014.

"R700-million is allocated for the 2011-12 financial year, R2.3-billion for the 2012-13 financial year and the remaining R5.2-billion is allocated for 2013-14," Lesufi said.

"R420-million [60%] of the R700-million budget allocated for 2011-12 has been set aside to eradicate all mud schools in the Eastern Cape, and the remaining R280-million [40%] to fund basic services necessary in schools."

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