Lifeline for farm learners

Learners at Reahlahlwa Primary School outside Vaalwater have been thrown a lifeline, following the official handover of a sanitation project completed by the Construction Education and
Training Authority (CETA) in partnership with government on Monday, 4 February.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, officially unveiled the concluded project, giving the school access to ten flushing toilets.

The sanitary ablution facilities comprise of four male toilets, four female and two staff toilets.

Teachers and learners have been relying on pit toilets, since the school was established in 1974.

The CETA and its partners killed two birds with one stone, as the project was also used as a skills development programme.

Acting CEO of CETA, Robert Semenya said they spent close to R4-million to complete this project.

He said R2.2 million of the total amount used, was spent on the skills training programme, which enrolled 150 local young people.

The learners were trained under an accredited training provider in bricklaying (25 learners), plastering (25), carpentry (25), plumbing (25), tiling (25) and roofing (25).

Manamela said this project would bring peace of mind to parents, as they won’t have to worry about their children falling into pit toilets.

The deputy minister also said the government had reason to believe the local community would look after the facilities, because they built it with their own hands.

“We really thank everyone who has contributed to the success of this project,” he said.

The school principal Hadifele Matsetela thanked the CETA, Department of Higher Education and Training and all other stakeholders for ensuring that the needs of upwards of 200 learners were
looked after.

Deserving learners also received pairs of school shoes, donated by the deputy minister.

— The BEAT