IDT hands over six schools to Eastern Cape communities

The Independent Development Trust (IDT) has
completed construction of six schools in the Eastern Cape and has already
handed over the much needed premises to the communities, creating a conducive
environment for teaching and learning.

The IDT was appointed by the Department of
Basic Education as an implementing agent for construction of these schools as
part of the Accelerated School Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI)
initiated by government to eradicate the backlog in school infrastructure country-wide.

The completed schools were constructed at a
total cost of R165-million. The infrastructure at these schools now comprises
of new classrooms, multi-purpose centres, media and library blocks, science
laboratories, nutrition centres and dining facilities, Grade R classrooms and
amenities, ablution blocks and sports fields.

Site works at all the projects implemented by
the IDT include provision for rainwater harvesting, drilling & equipping of
borehole for provision of water, high-rise water storage & reticulation,
security fencing, parking areas, paving, retaining walls, walkways inclusive of
ramps & staircases, storm-water drainage and related bulk earthworks.

A total of 337 jobs were created in terms of
labour, interns, in-service training and professional service providers in all
these projects.

During construction of these premises, at least
R27,5-million was spent on small, medium and micro enterprises, a substantial
amount of which was made at Mqhakama and Sulenkama where conventional (bricks
and mortar) methods of construction were used.

In addition, 123 people were trained in
construction trades including bricklaying, plastering, painting, carpentry and
tiling, and issued with certificates as part of the IDT’s skills development
efforts.

In the past five years the IDT supported 40
government departments including building 97 new schools and 36 new health
facilities while renovating hundreds more and created over 360 000 work
opportunities in various communities through its implementation of social
infrastructure programmes and the Expanded Public Works Programme.

More information from Lesego Mashigo
Cell: 073 883 0662
Tel: 012 845 2088
Email: lesegoma@idt.org.za

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