Over the past five years PPC’s science education programme has made 33 mobile science labs available to schools.
The latest recipient is Saxonsea Secondary School, which received lab equipment valued at R155 000 on Thursday 25 February, after science teacher Shernee Samuels applied for it.
Rigardt Visser, the cement and lime producing company’s area manager, said the mobile science lab empowers teachers to encourage critical thinking and problem solving while adhering to Covid-19 regulations.
It will be used by Grade 10-12 learners, Samuels said. According to Visser, by incorporating the technology and science to conduct experiments needed in South Africa’s high school syllabuses learners have the opportunity to gain a closer look at the world.
He said with teachers trained by Smart Labs, supplier of the mobile science labs, the Western Cape’s science ambitions are well on their way to being realised.
“Education is one of our core focus areas, and no matter how disadvantaged the students have been we strive to provide relevant tools to help them excel and achieve their dreams,” Saxonsea principal Deon Claasen said.
“The lab will help both the educators and learners with the improvement of science teaching experience, learning and consequently assist with the improvement of pass rates.
“In recognition of the lack of equipment at our schools, PPC’s efforts have been a welcome contribution, as school leaders have been working to innovate their teaching to ensure learners are well placed to complete the academic year.”
Claasen feels the lab will also assist the school’s teachers. “While we have been speaking to and educating our learners on the importance of understanding the science behind the measures we have in place, the mobile science lab provided by PPC will also help enhance science teaching experience, learning and consequently assist with the improvement of pass rates in science.”
Visser added that the cement producer had a commitment to continue to build stronger communities in the socio-economic development, particularly the communities in which it operates.
