Yesterday marked the launch of a newly refurbished science laboratory at Fairmount High School in Grassy Park, thanks to the collaborative effort between Advancing Knowledge NPC, the Archway Foundation and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
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Under the Science Laboratory Refurbishment Programme, physical science laboratories across the province have been refurbished and equipped with new scientific apparatus and chemicals. Teachers in the schools’ labs have also received comprehensive training.
The training, however, is not restricted to recipient schools only. In an effort to expand the programme, teachers from neighbouring schools have also been included.
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‘Investing in the development of the labs and our teachers will empower our learners with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the sciences, and to take advantage of the career opportunities in the scientific fields,’ said WCED MEC David Maynier in a statement.
In addition to the Fairmount High School science lab, eight more schools have received new laboratories through this partnership this year. These schools include:
- Diazville Secondary School – Saldanha
- Erica Primary School – Belhar
- Hermeslaan Primary School – Atlantis
- Kraaifontein Secondary School – Kraaifontein
- Louwville Secondary School – Vredenburg
- Schoonspruit Secondary School – Malmesbury
- Trafalgar High School – Zonnebloem
In terms of funding, Maynier added that the WCED contributed 40% of the total project cost, with the two partners contributing 30% each. Collectively, R14 175 000 was contributed to the project this year.
‘This is a long-standing partnership that has been making a real difference in our schools by assisting 103 schools with science labs since 2011, and we appreciate the work that Advancing Knowledge NPC and the Archway Foundation are doing to support our schools,’ said Maynier.
The education department said it is eager to expand its collaborations with nonprofit partners and the private sector in order to tackle the challenges that Western Cape schools face.
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Picture: Western Cape Education Department
