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The Eastern Cape Department of Education will officially hand over Tongani Junior Secondary School in Ngubezulu on 12 March 2026.
The ceremony will take place in the Amathole East Education District under the Mbhashe Local Municipality in Elliotdale.
Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade is scheduled to lead the official handover and engage with education stakeholders and community representatives during the event.
What happened
The Eastern Cape Department of Education announced that the newly completed Tongani Junior Secondary School will be officially handed over during a ceremony on 12 March 2026.
According to the department’s media advisory, the project forms part of a broader initiative to modernise school infrastructure and improve learning conditions in rural communities.
The event programme will begin at 09:00 with a stakeholder engagement session, followed by the unveiling of a plaque, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and a walkabout of the new facilities.
The MEC will also distribute school shoes to vulnerable learners during the visit.
Key details about the new school
The infrastructure project replaced unsafe structures and introduced new facilities designed to improve safety and learning capacity.
Key upgrades include:
- Removal of unsafe buildings, including an old three-classroom block and outdated ablution facilities
- Renovation of a multi-purpose classroom
- Installation of 15 temporary classrooms during construction to avoid disruption
- Construction of additional classrooms and modern learning spaces
- A media centre and science laboratory
- A dining hall to support learner nutrition programmes
- Landscaping and new walkways to improve accessibility and safety
- Water reticulation and stormwater management systems
- Installation of a high-rise water tank and a 5,000-litre tank
- Electrical systems including solar or conventional power
- Ventilation and climate control systems for specialised rooms
- Upgraded perimeter fencing for improved security
Why it matters
Modern school infrastructure can significantly improve teaching conditions and learner outcomes, particularly in rural communities.
Replacing unsafe buildings with modern classrooms and laboratories allows schools to provide safer learning environments and better access to science and technology education.
Reliable water supply, improved security, and upgraded facilities can also reduce disruptions to teaching and learning.
What happens next
The official handover event will include stakeholder discussions about the school’s operational and administrative status.
Media representatives have been invited to attend the event and interview the MEC during the visit.
Following the handover, Tongani Junior Secondary School is expected to operate with the upgraded facilities aimed at supporting improved education outcomes in the area.
What you need to know
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| School | Tongani Junior Secondary School |
| Location | Ngubezulu, Mbhashe Local Municipality |
| District | Amathole East Education District |
| Handover date | 12 March 2026 |
| Event start time | 09:00 |
| Lead official | Eastern Cape Education MEC Fundile Gade |
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