Winning environment for Alex school
In an amazing nine month turnaround, the ARP has demolished and
entirely rebuilt the Ekukhanyisweni Primary School in Alexandra.
"The world is made sick by us and therefore it can be cured by us."
Brave words from Lilian Thage, a pupil at
Ekukhanyisweni Primary School when it won second place in
a national environmental awareness competition.
Yet ironically this school, which has
been so instrumental in educating local residents on environmental issues,
was itself a dangerous environment for its pupils. Ekukhanyisweni was
housed in a ramshackle old asbestos building.
Asbestos has been used in schools throughout the country. It was
mixed with other substances to create a thick insulating layer which
was then packed on. It becomes dangerous when the material gets old
and releases microscopic asbestos fibres into the air, which can then
be breathed in. The fibres lodge in the lungs and can cause a range of
asbestos-related diseases.
In compliance with government's newly published regulations
on phasing out the use
of asbestos-containing products and structures, the ARP identified
rescuing Ekukhanyisweni Primary School as a priority.
In November 2005 the run-down, old buildings on Roosevelt Street
were demolished to make way for
an entirely new asbestos-free school. In less than 9 months a safe,
modern permanent structure has been built in its place.
The new school is impressive - visually appealing and tailor-made to its
environment and the needs of its pupils. Built around an inner
quadrangle to ensure the safety of pupils, the school boasts many new
facilities, including a multi-purpose netball, volleyball and
basketball court.
Ekukhanyisweni is not the only school in Alex to be entirely
rebuilt by the Alexandra Renewal Project. The Nokuthule Special School
currently occupies an old factory that has been refurbished for its
use while the ARP builds a new special needs school in Marlboro.
In addition to Ekukhanyisweni and Nokuthule,
Alexandra has 12 primary schools and 5 secondary schools. The ARP has
completed repairs and renovations to all 17 schools. These repairs
have included painting and
sealing roofs, upgrading electrical installations at all
schools, repairs to doors, locks and toilet blocks, and upgrading of
burglar bars and grille gates.
At Kwa Bhekilanga Secondary School construction has
begun on Alex's first rugby grounds and a new eight-track athletics
stadium that will be used by the school and the broader community.
There are also plans to build another primary school and one more high
school in Alex.
Recognising the importance of education to the
upliftment and long-term viability of the area, the Alexandra Renewal
Project's commitment to education is not restricted to infrastructure.
A total of 77 local educators have undergone a one-year training and
mentoring programme under the auspices of the ARP.
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