New science labs for 9 Western Cape schools
19 September 2023
This morning we opened the new science laboratory at Fairmount High School in Grassy Park, in partnership with Advancing Knowledge NPC and the Archway Foundation.
The Science Laboratory Refurbishment Programme refurbishes physical science laboratories, and supplies science equipment and chemicals for the lab, and training for teachers. Teachers from the surrounding schools are also included in the training, to expand the impact of the project beyond the recipient schools.
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 scientific fields.
A further 8 schools have received new labs through the partnership this year:
Diazville Primary School – Saldanha
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
Our Department has contributed 40% of the cost, while our two project partners have contributed 30% each. A total of R14 175 000 has been collectively 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.
This partnership demonstrates just what can be achieved when we work together and pull in the same direction. As a department, we are looking forward to expanding our relationships with our non-profit partners and the private sector, and to developing new partnerships to tackle the challenges we face in the Western Cape.
I thank our partners and officials for their contribution to the project and wish our learners many happy hours of scientific study in their new labs!
Issued by Kerry Mauchline, Spokesperson to Minister David Maynier, 19 September 2023
