New school addresses overcrowding in classes

Learners in Thabong Township in Welkom no longer have to travel long distances just to get to school, thanks to the new state-of-the-art school that was launched in the area.

The Adelaide Tambo Secondary School was built to the tune of R57 million as a direct response to overcrowding in other schools in the Lejweleputswa District in the Free State.

The school has about 24 classrooms, two science laboratories, a media centre, school nutrition programme centre, guard house, garden centre and hall.

It was officially launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who said the school is special, not only because it is named after Adelaide Tambo but also due to the world-class facilities it has.

Tambo was a struggle heroine and political activist who contributed to South Africa’s freedom and liberation.

The principal of the school Motsumi Mohapi told Vuk’uzenzele that the school will, in the near future, produce fruits to the entire district because of the nature of subjects it will be specialising in.

“Our school is going to specialise in mathematics, physical science, commercial subjects and entrepreneurship because we want to equip our learners with skills that will help them create jobs for themselves and the communities they live in. This will also assist in improving the economy of the Free State and our country,” Mohapi explained.

He said the school is currently offering education to Grade 8 and 9 learners, but it will gradually add more learners from Grade 10 until they get to Grade 12 in a period over three years. 

“Our school has capacity to take close to 1 100 learners per year. It will really help to address the overcrowding that is currently experienced by its counterparts in our district. Parents will also not worry about having to pay for transport to get their children to school,” he said.

The new school is also a non-fee paying school. He said more jobs will be created for teachers in the province because as it gradually grows it will mean that more teachers have to be employed to teach the learners.