The Adopt-a-School Foundation has worked closely with various mining companies to improve the conditions of many rural schools in South Africa that lack the basic infrastructure and educational resources needed to produce a successful and fully functioning environment in which children can learn.

“We currently work in rural and disadvantaged schools across South Africa and hence started working in Lesotho and Mozambique. Through a model of Whole School Development, we aim to provide the necessary resources to support an environment that is conducive to teaching and learning. “These resources include infrastructure, leadership and management tools, educator development and learner support programmes and social welfare programmes for orphaned and vulnerable learners,” says Adopt-a-School communications manager Nicola Vogel.

The foundation provides an opportunity for donors to invest effectively in education.

“Various mining companies have, through the foundation, adopted schools in the areas where they operate. “These companies want to make a meaningful and sustainable impact on the development of their surrounding communities and education is critically important,” she says.

Mining companies that have adopted schools include Kangra Coal, Shanduka Coal and Barberton Mines.

Pan African’s subsidiary, Barberton Mines, in partnership with the Adopt-a-School Foundation, has built an entire new school in the Barberton community – a R12.7-million project funded by the mine.

The school is located in the Sinqobile township, which surrounds the Barberton Mines operations.

The primary school will provide education facilities for 950 learners of the Sinqobile community and surrounding areas, including learners from two existing schools – Dixie Primary School, which is in a poor condition, and Fairview Primary School, which is currently overcrowded.

“The first two phases of the project are complete and include 16 classrooms, a feeding scheme kitchen, a Grade R facility, a sports field, two ablution blocks and perimeter fencing. “We are currently implementing the third phase of the project, which includes a further eight classrooms, a science and library block, a computer laboratory, a combination court, an administration block and a parking facility.
“Through the building of this school, we have created about 50 temporary jobs to date and empowered a number of local small, medium-sized and micro- enterprises. “The mining company has worked closely with the community to encourage their involvement and ownership of the school.

“Initiatives such as these can assist in creating goodwill and unity within the community,” concludes Vogel.