opinion
* Writer: Angie Motshekga
Equalising the playing field
I
t is no secret that the education system in South Africa has a
the eradication of mud schools and improper structures
long history of discrimination and inequality. In the early days
in the country.
of our new democracy this was identified as one of the big-
gest challenges and the first area to address. It was done so by
Schools of hope
my predecessors with huge success. The doors of education were
The first batch of 49 schools was completed in October
opened to all South African children, with basic education being
2012 and President Jacob Zuma handed over the first
declared a right to all. To this effect, we now have universal access
of the ASIDI schools. These are not just schools to the
to education with a single curriculum and no child is discriminated
communities they serve. Attending the handing over of
against by being denied access to basic education.
these schools is an emotional experience because these schools are hope. They herald a brighter future for the
The infrastructure challenge
communities they are located in, and stand out as giant
However, infrastructure has remained a challenge that distin-
centres of learning in a landscape of humble home-
guishes learners along geographical, economic and, to some
steads, rolling hills and small gravel roads in the rural
extent, the racial lines determined by the apartheid system.
Eastern Cape. Some handed over in the Western Cape
The former Model C or white schools had all the resources
are safe havens in troubled communities of sprawling
needed to deliver a world-class education, but those in rural
grey urban flats where gang violence is rampant – these
or township schools struggled to compete. Provinces found it
schools give learners the opportunity to envision a
challenging to not only build new schools to meet the grow-
different future beyond the confines of their immediate
ing demand for increased access to education but also to
environment.
equip these schools with all the resources needed to create a conducive environment for teaching and learning.
A mere three years later, we have handed over the 100th school in Kroonstad in the Free State as part of
The need for a drastic school infrastructure plan to overhaul
the ASIDI programme, which seeks to provide dignity
the system and level the playing field was desperately needed.
to learners and teachers by creating a conducive teach-
This came to fruition with the Accelerated School Infrastructure
ing and learning environment. ASIDI is probably the
Delivery Initiative (ASIDI). It was the broadest step yet towards
most ambitious programme that promises to change
The Dorrington Matsepe Primary School is the 100th school delivered as part of the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative.
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Public Sector Manager • June 2015