More work has been done to improve quality learning and teaching in Maths and Science across the country. The Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Adopt-a-School Foundation, officially launched the Life Science and Physical Science Laboratories at Boithaopo High school in Kraaipan, North West on 29 March 2015.
The IDC and Adopt-a-School Foundation made a commitment to support schools in improving quality learning and teaching in Maths and Science to help learners from rural schools to perform to their optimal ability. More than 20 rural schools have been adopted through this partnership and are provided with the necessary support to achieve good results in the National Senior Certificates Examinations this year. The partnership focuses on a range of issues that impact negatively on learner performance, including social ills, school leadership and management as well as infrastructure.
“The partnership has already seen two laboratories handed over to Mpumalanga and the Gauteng province. Two more other laboratories will be delivered to the Eastern Cape and Limpopo soon. This programme has been working well, mainly because of the partnerships approach. Thanks to the DBE and Adopt-a-School Foundation for the support,” said Ms Tebogo Molefe, the Corporate Social Investment Manager of the IDC.
Being built at the value of R4.5 million, the new laboratories will assist learners to understand the lessons in Life Science and Physical Science better because they will be afforded an opportunity to do practical work on a daily basis. Ms Molefe said that learner performance in Maths and Science need to improve and added that the IDC will work very hard to support the DBE in its endeavour to improve equality education.
Phologo Phaka, a Grade 12 learner expressed her excitement, saying that she could not wait to explore learning areas in Life Science, in particular. She believes that the new laboratories will help her to understand the subject even better. “We appreciate the DBE, the IDC and Adopt-a-school Foundation for their contribution towards improving our learning experience,” she said.
Addressing the occasion, the Deputy Minister stated that 500 schools have been converted into Dinaledi schools to promote Maths and Science education in the country. Mr Surty said that the resources delivered to the school should be utilised to benefit learners in rural areas. The Deputy Minister told learners to work hard so that they can address the shortage of engineers, professional health practitioners and actuaries in South Africa.
In conclusion, Mr Surty thanked the IDC and Adopt-a-School Foundation for their contribution in helping Government to deliver quality education in schools. The event ended with a practical demonstration on Life Science and Physical Science in the new laboratories.