The Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Development Initiative (ASIDI) was put in place by the Department of Basic Education in order to replace inadequate infrastructure and mud hut classrooms and to introduce electricity, water supply, ablution facilities, as well as safety norms where these basics do not currently exist.
It was recently reiterated that 496 mud schools would be eradicated or replaced, and water and sanitation would be provided to 1,257 schools. Additionally, 878 schools would receive electricity, as per the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Development Initiative National Outputs plan 2011-2014.
These figures echo the drastic need for improved schooling infrastructure in our country. As such, in the Eastern Cape, where the bulk of the problem exists, the erection of prefabricated buildings has been initiated in support of government's plan to improve education facilities. At a higher rate than any other province, 26,5% of persons aged 15 years and older in the Eastern Cape had no schooling or a highest level of education less than Grade 7 as per the 2011 census results by Statistics SA. Considering statistics such as these, the Eastern Cape is arguably one of the most poorly equipped provinces for the delivery of education which ultimately affects the attainment thereof.
Although the move towards the use of technology at schools is commendable in terms of the country's growth in the global market, the level of inequality locally, and specifically in the Eastern Cape, remains a concern. Ironically, one of the largest contributing factors with the power to eradicate inequality is education as it significantly enhances employability and empowers young people to shape their futures positively. However, for these disadvantaged scholars to grab the opportunity for a better future with both hands through education, it is essential that their learning environments are drastically improved.
Giving scholars the opportunity to do so, the erection of prefabricated buildings provides an efficient and quickly implemented solution to the provision of schooling facilities. Assembled onsite, the modular buildings are manufactured using fully insulated polyurethane injected panels which means that temperatures are effectively controlled and noise is significantly reduced. This provides scholars and teachers with classrooms that are highly conducive to learning in the least amount of time possible. Furthermore, these buildings include the provision of ablution facilities, promoting a clean and healthy environment.
The first phase of the prefabricated buildings project began in January 2012 and saw the delivery of 173 classrooms and 29 science labs in outlying areas within the Eastern Cape. The second phase began in March 2012 and involved the erection of 213 classrooms. To date, a total of 553 modular classrooms, including additional classrooms outside the first and second phases, and 29 science labs in addition to pit toilets and fencing in areas such as Umthatha, Port Alfred, King Williams Town, Queenstown, Butterworth, Port Elizabeth, Port St. John's, Idutwa and other regions have been erected.
Comments Glen Moss, Kwikspace Regional Sales Manager Eastern Cape; "It has been a rewarding opportunity to partner with the Department of Public Works in order to deliver turnkey solutions to a province in such dire need of better education infrastructure. We recognise the impact that these projects will have on the overall improvement in education and in the lives of scholars and teachers alike, and we are thus very pleased to be able to contribute to this end goal".
