Ramaphosa Calls for Faster School Construction to Improve Education Quality
BOKSBURG — President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the construction of schools across South Africa, describing infrastructure development as a key pillar in improving the quality of education and reducing inequality.
Speaking at the National Construction Summit held in Boksburg, President Ramaphosa said that building more schools, classrooms, and proper sanitation facilities was essential to ensuring that every South African child could learn in a safe and dignified environment.
In his address to delegates at the two-day summit — which brought together government officials, labour representatives, and private sector stakeholders — President Ramaphosa underscored the link between education, infrastructure, and long-term economic growth.
He said the construction sector played a vital role in rebuilding the nation’s economy while simultaneously addressing the country’s social challenges.
“We are here so that we can build a country where there are enough classrooms for all the children of our country,” said Ramaphosa. “In order to reduce inequality, pupils need classrooms, sanitation facilities, and safe learning environments.”
The President stressed that infrastructure is more than just physical development — it is an investment in people, opportunity, and national dignity.
Ramaphosa Highlights Education and Infrastructure as National Priorities
President Ramaphosa also spoke passionately about restoring dignity to South Africa’s learners, many of whom still face unsafe conditions when trying to access education. He referenced stories of children who risk their lives daily just to attend school, saying such conditions were unacceptable in a democratic South Africa.
“Where no child has to swim across a river to get to school is what we are here about,” Ramaphosa said. “We must build bridges so that our children can cross rivers to go to school in a safe manner.”
His remarks were met with applause from attendees, who agreed that the lack of adequate infrastructure continues to hinder progress in many rural and underdeveloped areas.
The President noted that schools are not only spaces of learning but also foundations of hope for future generations. Ensuring that all children have access to proper facilities, he said, is a moral and developmental obligation.
In addition to improving education, Ramaphosa emphasized the broader economic impact of accelerating construction projects. The National Construction Summit provided a platform to discuss how infrastructure investment can stimulate growth, create jobs, and drive transformation within the construction industry.
“Infrastructure is key to economic growth,” said Ramaphosa. “It presents opportunities in job creation, in transformation, and in improving the quality of life for our people.”
He explained that faster project rollouts could open up thousands of new employment opportunities, especially for young people and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector.
The President urged both the public and private sectors to collaborate closely, ensuring that the construction industry remains a key driver of inclusive development.
During his speech, Ramaphosa reiterated that success in the construction and education sectors requires strong partnerships between government, business, and labour. He praised the summit for fostering dialogue between stakeholders who share a common vision of building a better, more equitable South Africa.
The President also highlighted the importance of accountability and efficiency in government-led construction projects. He said that delays, corruption, and mismanagement have historically undermined public trust — and that this summit represented an opportunity to change that narrative.
“Our focus must be on delivering quality infrastructure faster, more efficiently, and with integrity,” Ramaphosa stated. “We must build not only schools but also trust in the systems that deliver them.”
He added that transparency in procurement and implementation would ensure that every project benefits communities directly and contributes to the country’s long-term stability.
Beyond education, Ramaphosa used the summit to outline his administration’s broader infrastructure goals — including housing, roads, and healthcare facilities — as part of South Africa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP).
He explained that these efforts form part of a coordinated national strategy to rebuild the economy after years of stagnation and to respond to the social inequalities that continue to divide the nation.
“When we invest in building schools, we invest in building a nation,” Ramaphosa said. “Each brick laid represents a step toward a better future for our children and our communities.”
The President encouraged the construction industry to embrace innovation, sustainability, and skills development as tools to ensure lasting impact. He also emphasized the need to involve young people and women in all aspects of infrastructure projects, from design to execution.
In his closing remarks, President Ramaphosa reiterated that infrastructure is not merely about concrete and steel — it is about building futures, transforming lives, and creating equal opportunities for all South Africans.
He concluded his address with a powerful call to action:
“We must restore the dignity of our children. We must ensure that every child has a classroom to learn in, a toilet that is safe, and a bridge to cross without fear. That is the South Africa we are building — one project, one community, one school at a time.”
The National Construction Summit continues this week in Boksburg, with stakeholders expected to develop a roadmap for implementing the President’s vision of sustainable, inclusive growth through infrastructure development.
Source- EWN
