Press statement
For immediate Release
NLC – Reducing Inequalities through Access to Education
1 June 2016 - The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) will launch their Northern Cape Early Childhood Development (ECD) infrastructure project at a sod turning event in the province on 3 June 2016 in Upington. The NLC has launched the same in four other provinces between November 2015 and May this year.
Attendees will be addressed by Premier Sylvia Lucas, the Mayor of the //Khara Hais Local Municipality, Abraham Vosloo, as well as Chairperson of the NLC, Prof. Alfred Nevhutanda and NLC Commissioner, Thabang Charlotte Mampane.
With 1 June marking International Children’s Day, and Youth Month commencing in South Africa, Mampane expressed at previous events how access to education is a critical focus area in SA, and how the NLC was doing its part to reduce inequalities in the development phase, particularly those from poor communities.
Funding from the NLC will be used to build 15 early childhood education facilities across the province. They consist of 10 buildings which can accommodate up to 120 children and ten ‘edutainers’.
The Northern Cape launch takes place at Oasis Skills Development Centre, which has been approved for funding for a new building.
Ends.
Notes:
The NLC issued a targeted call for applications for Early Childhood Development infrastructure in December 2014.
Almost 5000 applications were received, and 203 have been approved within the set budget.
All the sites for the ECD centres have been selected in partnership with the Provincial Social Development departments, which helped to identify the communities with the most pressing needs.
Building plans for the brick and mortar schools have also been pre-approved by the department. The ‘edutainers’ are converted shipping containers, which include an office, sick bay and kitchenette unit.
Media Enquiries:
Ms. Odaho Sengani
Communication Specialist
083753 6968
Funding Enquiries:
08600 65 383