CDC increases security at Eastern Cape schools

Mandla Makupula, MEC - Department of Education, launching the School Fencing Project at Masibambane Senior Secondary School in Kwa-Zakhele location.

At the launch of the project at Masibambane Senior Secondary School in Kwa-Zakhele, the MEC for Education in the Eastern Cape, Mandla Makupula, highlighted the safety of schoolchildren as a priority for the department.

Some of the schools to benefit from the project are situated across various districts in the Eastern Cape, such as OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Cacadu, Amathole, Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi District Municipalities.

“The primary objective of the project is to address school safety, through the provision of fencing to all the Eastern Cape DoE Schools, where there is either no fencing, inadequate or inappropriate fencing,” said Thembeka Poswa, CDC programme director - education.

“CDC will manage and oversee the successful implementation of this project for DoE, as it has managed other DoE projects using its organisational expertise to drive socio-economic development in the Eastern Cape. The corporation will implement the fencing programme in line with National Building Regulations and Department of Basic Education’s Minimum Uniform Norms and Standards for school infrastructure.

“This will in turn help improve the level and quality of education by establishing safe, secure school environments, as well as uplifting the communities in which the schools are located, through employment opportunities and local economic development as well as new work opportunities for SMME service providers.”

“Because of severe crime in society, schoolchildren become vulnerable, especially those who stay in hostels without proper fencing. The implementation of this project will provide critical relief to the teachers, children and parents,” said Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, CDC head of marketing & communications.