Despatch school given new hope

R500 000 facilities boost inspires staff, pupils

EXCITEMENT bubbled over yesterday at a Despatch school where dismal matric results have been the norm. As Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle unveiled a multimillion-rand ICT laboratory and a library, pupils expressed their hopes that they would now have a better chance at passing than their predecessors.

Unveiling the multi-faceted project at Zanolwazi Senior Secondary School, Masualle said it was time inequality in schools came to an end.

He said the technology that was being brought to the school was something many other pupils had available, at home and at school, while those at poorer schools did not have access to it.

“Inequality in schools should come to an end and today we have taken a step in equalising [these] pupils,” Masualle said.

“I hope they will appreciate the instruments they have been provided with to deliver them from oppression. Education is the key to deliver them.”

The provincial government, along with sponsors SABC, Telkom, Standard Bank and the Uitenhage Despatch Development Initiative (UDDI), pumped about R500 000 into the laboratory and library, and also provided pupils with uniforms, sports gear and learning equipment.

Masualle said progress would be monitored for three years.

“There is a commitment to support the school for the next three years,” he said.

“The performance was not good in previous years. So we will now be able to determine the pupils who are failing because they do not want to study.”