As schools nationally were reopened earlier this week, the township community of Tsakane in the Ekurhuleni municipality were welcomed to the opening of the newly built Menzi Primary school, which is the first of its kind in the township area with green technology.

The school was officially opened by the Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, who was accompanied by the Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi, and Infrastructure MEC, Jacob Mamabolo.

The environmentally friendly school has facilities such as 33 smart classrooms, a Grade R block with five classrooms, two science labs, two multi-purpose rooms, a library and dining hall,  costing over R105 million to build.

“The start of the school year is about laying the foundation for a better future. We are investing in education a lot, especially in township schools, the investment we are making as a country is in these children, these will be the children who are independent and build their own homes,” said Makhura while addressing the community.

Education MEC, Lesufi also stated that for the country to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution, which represents new ways in which technology becomes embedded within society, the education department needs to do its part. This will take the form of unveiling two schools of specialisation in areas of maritime studies and motor industry studies in the near future.

“These learners are part of the generation that will attend schools of specialisation and they will participate in the fourth industrial revolution,” added Lesufi.

He also pleaded with the community to protect these schools and also report any vandalism of school property to the police.

[Source – SA News]
[Image – CC O Pixabay]