MEC commits to keeping a close eye on construction of new school building

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17-11-2025
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The Citizen Online
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It is anticipated that the children will be on the new school premises in Fourth Avenue during the first quarter of the 2026 academic school year.

Free State MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Dibolelo Mance, has urged contractors and departments to intensify their efforts to complete infrastructure projects on time, saying communities deserve prompt and efficient service delivery.

Speaking during her oversight visit to the construction site of the new Dome Combined School premises in Fourth Avenue on Friday, Mance emphasised the importance of accountability and urgency in delivering projects to client departments.

“We must put extra effort into ensuring that our projects are completed and handed over efficiently,” said Mance. “The people of the Free State want prompt service delivery, and we must deliver on our commitments without delays.”

The MEC inspected the construction site to assess progress and ensure that measures are in place to accelerate completion and occupation of the school by learners. She highlighted that infrastructure projects play both an economic and social role in developing communities.

The Dome Combined School project has created job opportunities for over 56 local labourers and 18 subcontractors, including youth- and women-owned businesses.

Mance acknowledged that the project had experienced delays due to various challenges but assured that her department, together with the Department of Education, the contractor, and consultants, remain committed to completing it.

“We will go back to the drawing board with the Department of Education to agree on realistic timelines so that decisions are informed and accurate. Our goal is to see children learning on these premises in the first quarter of the 2026 school year,” she said.

Mance confirmed that she would closely monitor the project as one of five key commitments outlined in her department’s budget vote.

“This is a good facility that must benefit the community. Finishing on time reduces costs and prevents unnecessary delays. Therefore, I will keep this project under my radar,” she said.
She also pledged to engage with the Department of Roads and Transport regarding the condition of roads leading to the school.

The MEC during the oversight visit inspecting progress made at the multi-functional school hall.

“It makes no sense to build such a beautiful facility without a proper access road. I will personally write to MEC Mbabula about this matter,” she stated.

The project, which is currently 77% complete, includes 24 classrooms, three Grade R rooms, computer labs, a media centre, administration block, a multi-purpose hall, kitchen, tuck shop, ablution facilities for learners and staff, and offices for heads of departments.

Mance expressed satisfaction with the progress since her last visit in 2024.

“I am happy—they are pushing. When I visited last year, the hall was not even here, only classrooms. Now real progress is visible,” she said.

She concluded by assuring that the safety of learners remains a top priority and that minimal construction work will be outstanding when the school opens its doors next year.

Dome Combined School currently has 379 learners. The School will welcome it’s first Grade 11 learners in 2026.