Three ECD education centres funded
The building of 28 Early Childhood Development education facilities in the province will be funded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) of which three will be built within Mogalakwena.
LIMPOPO – This follows after the commission received thousands of applications for assistance countrywide. According to a statement: “The commission in partnership with the Department of Social Development in Limpopo donated a total of R48 850 for the building of 28 early childhood facilities across the province.”
The money will be used to build 28 early learning facilities, consisting of 14 buildings which can accommodate over 150 children and 14 education-containers which can accommodate over a 100 children.
Each centre which will be contracted on bricks and mortar buildings was granted R3,8 million while the containerized building each received R775 000. Containers will be used where there is insufficient land for a formal building.
The first centre to boast with a new building was Thari ya Setshaba Daycare Centre in Phola Park. NLC Commissioner, Charlotte Mampane indicated that other centres in the province which do not have sufficient land for a building or where there are insufficient number of learners will receive an ‘Edutainers,’ which consists of a classroom with tables, chairs and all the necessary learning materials. Teachers can start immediately with lessons once the container is installed.
Mayor Parks Sebatjane said: “Indeed this infrastructure investment is going to change the lives of the people in our area by creating job opportunities for the residents of Phola Park and surrounding areas. This centre will be a huge relief as it would allow the children of this area to access education in their early stage childhood.”
The MEC for Social Development, Joyce Mashamba, said the National Lotteries Commission has assisted them at the right time.
At least the Lottery has funded some of the ECDs and that will help us to reduce the shortage of the infrastructure in the province, because we are aware that the infrastructure of our ECDs more especially in rural areas are not up to standard.
“The NLC recognizes that a weak foundation in early childhood development can seriously undermine the social and economic vitality of the nation. Building plans for the brick and mortar schools have also been pre-approved by our department,” Mashamba concluded.
