The Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE), in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and Divert Steel, is making significant strides in ensuring that teaching and learning occur in well-furnished classrooms. Divert Steel's primary focus, as one of the 18 contracted partners, is to refurbish unused school furniture and give it new life. The furniture is then distributed to schools for use.

 Varkeychan Joseph, Chief Director for Resourcing and School Administration, highlighted the initiative's impact as he reflected on the department’s commitment to promoting sustainability. “This initiative is a game-changer for the ECDOE and the schools. By refurbishing unused furniture, we are not only reducing waste but also providing our learners with the conducive learning environment they deserve.  We appreciate the collaboration with Divert Steel and the Department of Basic Education, and we encourage all stakeholders to join hands in enhancing the quality of education in our province.”

Through the partnership with Diverse Steel, the ECDOE can now sell refurbished furniture to other provinces. Lucky Morua, Assets Management Deputy Director from the North West Department of Education, expressed North West’s interest in being part of the ECDoE contract, highlighting the benefits of doing so, as it has proven to be a success in the province.

The refurbishment of school furniture has been successfully implemented in the Eastern Cape Department of Education and marks a significant achievement in improving educational resources for local schools, as noted by Morua.

According to Matome Kgatla, Deputy Director for Schools Refurbishment at the Department of Basic Education (DBE), this process would help ensure the initiative's success and align with DBE's goals for improving education infrastructure and quality.

“This initiative not only enhances the overall learning environment for our students but also promotes sustainability and responsible resource use within our community. Through dedicated efforts and innovative strategies, we have successfully fostered a space that encourages both academic growth and environmental stewardship. We're proud of the progress we've made together and eagerly anticipate the continuation of our partnerships aimed at delivering high-quality education to all learners, regardless of their background,” concluded Matome.