On Tuesday 4 September, Elsies River High School received a
state-of-the-art science lab donation from the University of the Western Cape
(UWC), Western Cape Education Department and non-profit organisation Garden
Cities.
This is part of UWC’s ongoing commitment to increase the
number of students who go on to study towards science-related courses
post-matric.
Elsies River High School was the 62nd school to receive a
newly built science lab in the province since the project was started back in
2011.
Science teacher at the school, Johardien Gordon, says he is
excited about the lab.
“As a Science teacher, this is a big boom for the school; it
allows us to bring the reality, the functionality and practicality of science
to our learners. The lab is laid out in such a way that it is easy for learners
to do experiments,” he says.
“We do have an array of equipment in the lab and now we have
the capacity to do most of the experiments that we would not otherwise be able
to do,” he adds.
The school has about 120 Science learners between Grade 10
and Grade 12.
UWC Registrar, Nita Lawton-Misra, says community engagement
is one of the three pillars by which they stand.
“UWC is involved in many community projects, and we do not
see these projects as just events, but as processes. We get involved from the
beginning and we continue being part of the project until the end to make sure
that the value of our intervention is not a once-off-feel-good kind of emotion
but it continues to uplift communities and form relationships.”
Myrtle February from Garden Cities says they have always
been involved in education.
“As our Corporate Social Investment arm, we give money for
education to build libraries and school halls, among others. [So] we use some
of our profits to build these premises,” she says.
February also says that, as the organisation will be turning
100 years old next year, they will be opening their 100th school hall they have
built in the province.
Leslie Brydan, principal of the school, says they are
confident that the lab will be used to its full capacity to fulfil its purpose.
“After 44 years in the school, I will be retiring at the end
of the year, [so] this is something nice to leave behind.”
“We are gratified in knowing that the optimal use of the
facility will have an impact on our learners as their passion for science
kindles and we believe the centre will be the match and will ignite the fire of
positive change in our community and that lives change for the better.”
What is your opinion on this article? Let us know at
briewe@tygerburger.co.za.
