A STATE-OF-THE-ART school in the rural area of uMlalazi has been completed by the Independent Development Trust (IDT) on behalf the Department of Education.
Welabasha Technical High School is one of a number of schools earmarked by the provincial government for upgrades and renovations to convert them into technical high schools with boarding facilities.
Seventeen new classrooms, two multi-purpose centres, two computer laboratories, an administration block, three workshops for electrical, civil and mechanical engineering, a hospitality block and a kitchen, a change room for learners who participate in sport activities, ablution facilities for educators and learners, a media centre, the parking area for educators and visitors, a high capacity water tank and a sewerage treatment plant were all part of the up-grade.
The newly built school facilities are now occupied by about 1 400 learners from Empangeni, Richards Bay, eSikhawini and Mtubatuba areas.
The 43 educators are supported by security guards, cleaners and clerks.
Besides the new structures, the IDT was tasked with renovating 15 old classrooms, a science laboratory and ablution facilities.
The project cost for all the new structures and the renovations amount to about R105-million, and during construction of the school the IDT created at least 128 job opportunities.
The IDT had to do extensive community mobilisation and negotiations with the local Nkosi, who donated the land for the new school and the local communities who vacated their ploughing fields for the school to be built.
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