The opening of science and computer laboratories and administration blocks at two rural schools heralded a new dawn for poor rural learners whose dreams of making it in the technological world could now be realized, thanks to Absa, Kagiso Trust and the provincial department of education.

The handover took place at the respective schools this week. The schools, Gwamasenga and Shondoni Secondary, received the donation as reward for their improved results.

Kagiso Trust and Absa, in pursuing their objective of alleviating poverty through education, hosted the two infrastructural launches, rewarding schools currently affiliated with the Beyers Naude schools development programme (BNSDP) for an improvement in their school results. The launches were hosted in conjunction with the Limpopo provincial Department of Education. Infrastructure and associated equipment in the form of a computer centre, science laboratory and an administration block, valued at over R3 million, were handed to the two schools.

The BNSDP model concentrates on establishing good governance and management principles, which ultimately benefit the long-term success of the school. It deals with motivation and community involvement, and infrastructure is upgraded once the school demonstrates improvement. This usually constitutes the provision of a science laboratory, library, computer centre or an administration block, depending on the school’s needs and requirements. Additional support in the arena of extra mural activities is also offered to schools that have im-proved their final Grade 12 results.

The deputy-director general in the national department of education, Mr Firos Patel, said it would take a long time to address the edu-cational backlog. “We will not sit back but will continue looking for partners in such initiatives.” He said he was convinced and saw the fruits of the partnership that was contributing so much to the development of country.

The superintendent general in the provincial Department of Education, Dean Zwo Nevhutalu, said the government had resolved during the Polokwane conference that education and health would become priority in the next five years. “This goes to show how committed we are in providing education to the people and we will do all in our power in making sure that education is accessible to all,” he said. He called on all learners to do their work as they have resources at their disposal.

“There is no excuse for not performing well now that you have all these resources. Use your time profitably and you will reap the reward at the end of the year,” he said. He also urged educators to dedicate themselves to their work in order to make sure that they do the job they were hired for. He likened lazy educators to witches who were killing education. “These are the people who rush for posts whenever they are advertised. They are selling out the nation,” he said.

The local traditional leader, Khosi Vho Calvin Nelwamondo, said the donation was the unfolding of history at the school. He said the community always cherished the dream that something bright would come and that the dream has been realized. “Our community has risen to a greater height. Our children will no longer have to travel far to access facilities as the ones at their school are even better than those in towns. We now challenge you to rise to the occasion and make sure use of the opportunities afforded you, prove yourselves and pass with flying colours,” he said.