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As a result of the joint of effort of officials, contractors and stakeholders, Saxonsea Junior High School – an extension of the High School to accommodate more Grade 8 and 9 learners - was able to be built in 65 days and within its budget of R40 million.

The school forms part of the WCED’s innovative Rapid School Build (RSB) programme that is aimed to increase capacity for learner placements.

This means that the school was ready for the start of the 2023 academic year and has contributed towards there being no unplaced learners in Atlantis.

Following an unannounced oversight visit by the Standing Committee on Education yesterday, we were also able to witness first-hand the exceptional build quality of the new school. By using a combination of brick-and-mortar and alternative steel-framed building technology, the school has been neatly built to serve the needs of the community.

During the visit, we were able to see the following installations:

• The 9 brand-new classrooms which, in total, can accommodate approximately 405 extra learners;
• A multi-purpose learning centre which has the capacity for 200-250 learners;
• 2 new JoJo water tanks;
• A new safe to store exam papers;
• Start-up kits for stationery and textbooks, as well as cleaning products for 1-2 years;
• A new drinking fountain; and
• Various olive trees and succulents planted around the school in order to promote sustainability and greenery around the new structures.
• MPP Deidré Baartman says: “We, as the DA in the Western Cape, are proud of the quality construction carried out at the school. What we witnessed yesterday showed what is possible when we adopt a whole-of-society approach. The construction company, for example, also trained local companies in order to become subcontractors and worked over weekends to ensure that the school was built on time.

With there also being high involvement from both parents and the School Governing Body, we know that this school is destined for success. Saxonsea Junior High School is a prime example of the Department’s innovative RSB programme that is aimed to increase capacity for learner placements, and we look forward to this programme making even further progress.”

Issued by Deidré Baartman, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Education