Makhumbuza High school pupils in Durban could pass the sciences with flying colours in 2018 after receiving a state of the art science laboratory. Makhumbuza is the 19th recipient of a R25 million Schools laboratory project.
Most townships and rural schools operate without laboratories hence little interest in science. However, this is changing with the help of the Schools Laboratory initiative which was established in 2007.
“We have a vetting system as to which schools are allowed into the programme and which not, and we hope that by bringing the schools into the programme the grades and the number of people that matriculate in maths and science is actually going to increase,” said the project’s Ton Wielers.
Wielers says their assessment of previous recipients is positive as more pupils are taking science subjects and matric pass rate has improved.
“Physcial science is a practical subject. When you talk about colour changes, learners must be able to see that, but if you’re using a method of memorising, learners will not have understood exactly about colour changes,” said Makhumbuza High school principal, Bonginkosi Dlomo.
Pupils are upbeat: “This laboratory means a lot to us. Most of us come from disadvantaged backgrounds. We have adequate material now so there will be more participation and concentration,” said one joyful student.
Eight computers have also been donated to the school.
