- Luhlaza High School recently opened a new science lab to enhance STEM education.
- The lab, funded by AK NPC and partners, aims to provide hands-on learning for science students.
- The school hopes the new facility will motivate teachers and students and improve academic results.
Staff and learners at Luhlaza High School were over the moon during the opening of the new Science laboratory on Thursday 3 October.
The lab was donated by Advancing Knowledge non profit company (AK NPC) in collaboration with the Garden Cities, Archway Foundation and Western Cape Education Department.
The school principal Mutile Qezo described the lab as a breath of fresh air. He said it is vital for the school to have a proper laboratory as the school specialises in science and mathematics.
“We had a laboratory, but it didn’t have the apparatus and it had one sink and a desk. Now, we have almost everything, including the chemicals. It will also assist the Grade 8 learners for practicals and experiments,” said Qezo.
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He said the lab will motivate the teachers and help the learners.
Qezo stated that he believes the academic results will also improve for science and maths.
However, he said they have a limited number of apparatus and chemicals and urged other organisations to donate.
In a joint statement, AK NPC, Garden Cities, Archway Foundation and the WCED committed to improving the infrastructure in which STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects are taught by constructing modern science laboratories called Science Teaching & Learning Centres (Science TLCs).
The statement further stated that the construction of the Science TLCs is an extension of the curriculum support of teachers and learners provided by AK NPC and serves as a reward to committed science teachers, school management and learners.
According to the statement, the support will first come through training for committed and passionate science teachers to improve the science teaching culture.
Secondly, through interesting and stimulating science projects such as science clubs and competitions to improve the culture of science learning.
The Science Teaching and Learning Centres serve as the hub in which the cultures of science teaching and science learning can be incubated to prepare learners for the future challenges in STEM brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, read the statement.
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According to Prof Shaheed Hartley, director of the AK NPC, basic training for teachers will be vital.
“We have to start with the basics in terms of supporting teachers to have the confidence to teach science with an advanced level of understanding, knowledge and skills.
“Similarly, we have to be creative in providing learners with opportunities that will draw their interest and willingness to learn science, certainly having a confident and knowledgeable science teacher in a conducive environment provided by the Science Teaching & Learning Centres is an excellent start”.
According to the CEO of Garden Cities, John Matthews “the Science TLC project is one of the vehicles through which we as a corporate organisation invest in meeting South Africa’s future human resource needs in STEM, especially within a 4IR environment”.
