WHEN these pupils sat down to write their first term assessment tests, they were stuck in cramped classrooms as their school was housed at an old disused mine.
But this year Sibongindawo Primary School pupils from Wilge Village, near Phola in Mpumalanga are writing their tests in a proper school!
Eskom Development Foundation and partners built the R34 million school to give children better access to education.
The school was officially opened by Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza and Eskom in July last year.
Principal Elias Sithole said pupils started writing their assessment tests on Monday.
“Gone are the days when education was difficult for the pupils and us.
“Back then three of our teachers had to teach grade 3s and grade 4s in the same class – at the same time!”
Elias said they now had seven permanent teachers and three casual teachers to teach 480 pupils.
The school’s computer lab, library and sports grounds are still to be completed.
Brenda Kruger, project manager for Eskom Development Foundation, said after Eskom learned about the poor teaching conditions at Sibongindawo, they decided to build them a new school.
The new school adopted Sibongindawo as its name to remember the past.
“We took action to make sure children are taught in a proper school,” she said.
The school also uses solar panels to light the school.
Another school that received help from the foundation was Imbalinhle Primary School.
Their old school was located close to a mine and noise pollution had made teaching unbearable.
Eskom built the new school farther away where it is quieter.