Cape Town Schools Get New Science Labs through Public-Private Partnership Initiative

Tuesday was an exciting day for Trafalgar High School as it revealed its brand new Science Teaching and Learning Centre. This noteworthy achievement was made possible through a collaboration between the Advancing Knowledge NPC, Garden Cities Archway Foundation, and the Western Cape Education Department. It comes as joyous news amidst an environment where many students are shying away from science and mathematics, according to Principal Salwa Southgate.

The refurbishment was part of a massive project that saw nine Western Cape schools equipped with new science laboratories. Amongst them was 111-year-old Trafalgar High School, which was recently granted national heritage status and is currently undergoing a significant renovation worth several million rands. The school's proud tradition has birthed impressive South Africans distinguished in arts, literature, politics, and science fields.

The initiative aims to inspire a rejuvenated spark of interest in science among students while facilitating a more hands-on approach to learning. Grade 11 learner at Trafalgar High School, Joanni Bakola, elatedly expressed her gratitude, projecting a promising future for coming generations of learners.

Education MEC David Maynier further elaborated on the landmark initiative, citing that it also includes a teacher's training program, and so far, R14 175 000 has been invested in the project this year.

The president of Garden Cities Group, John Matthews, revealed that their corporation had supported the establishment of 103 science labs in local schools since 2011, in line with their objective to meet South Africa's future skill demands needed for a 4IR integrated environment.