The Coega Development Corporation (CDC) has called for tenders for the first-phase construction of a maths, science and technology institution in KwaZulu-Natal.

The La Mercy Maths, Science and Technology Academy formed part of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education’s (DoE’s) ambitious R15-billion school-building programme, in which the CDC was assisting.

The scope of work outlined in the tender, which would close on March 14, comprised the demolition of five single-storey, two-classroom blocks with ablution facilities, the conversion of two existing double-storey, seven-classroom blocks into a dormitory central services building and the construction of two new double-storey, six-classroom blocks.

The contract, for which a compulsory briefing would be held on February 19, would also see the construction of two 180-bed dormitory blocks, as well as a dining hall, multipurpose hall and an administration facility, which would house two head-of-department offices, the principal’s office, a record room, a reception area, two sick rooms, a print room, a kitchen, a staff room and five toilet blocks.

Bulk services, including electrical, mechanical, water, sewer and stormwater reticulation, were required along with roads, parking facilities, fencing and guardhouse facilities.

The CDC, which had a provincial office in KwaZulu-Natal, had been the implementing agent for infrastructure projects on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal DoE since 2010.

CDC head of marketing and communications Ayanda Vilakazi previously said CDC-KwaZulu-Natal’s DoE projects had doubled since the previous financial year – from R444-million in 2011/12 to R846-million in 2012/2013.

“This includes 40 new schools that are being built,” he noted.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education Neliswa Nkonyeni said the province, which had an education allocation of R37-billion for its 6 241 schools with 2.8-million learners, had, over the past few years, built 56 new schools, 294 laboratories, 230 computer rooms, 406 mobile classrooms, 372 administration blocks and 480 kitchens or nutrition blocks.

Further, about 650 schools had been fenced and 1 980 schools were rehabilitated or renovated.

“Since 2009 alone, we have invested R13-billion in 3 500 infrastructure projects. In the process of this massive infrastructure spending, 54 mud schools were upgraded into centres of excellence with modern infrastructure,” Nkonyeni explained in a statement in January.

CDC-KwaZulu-Natal was currently involved in “massive” school building projects across Umlazi, Thukela, Pinetown, Umgungundlovu, Ilembe, uThungulu and Amajuba, besides others.