Science labs to level the playing fields
Blomvlei Primary School is the first in Hanover Park, and one of 110 schools across the province, to receive a science lab, thanks to a non-profit organisation and its partner.
On Thursday October 3, non-profit company Advancing Knowledge, and Garden Cities Archway Foundation, opened four new science labs at Blomvlei Primary, Belgravia High, Sir Lowry’s Pass Primary in Sir Lowry’s Village, and Luhlaza Secondary in Khayelitsha. Belgravia High, is the 110th school to benefit from this initiative.
Professor Shaheed Hartley, the founder of Advancing Knowledge, said how things worked, why things worked and what one could do to improve things were enquiries that led to acquiring critical skills.
All the schools that benefited from the project had to show a commitment to be part of it and that included having teachers undergo training from his organisation, he said.
“We want to ensure that the teachers understand what enquiry science education is about. They need to know how to teach learners what this process is about. The basics are the same - from the foundation phase to a PhD. The coolest teacher in the school should be the science teacher,” Professor Hartley said.
Blomvlei Primary’s principal, Waldimar Snyders, said he couldn't believe the transformation that his old classroom had undergone.
“I used to teach maths and science in this classroom, and there was not much space to move around in it, as I had 55 learners in my class.
“Professor Hartley has shown real commitment to our community, and I want to thank him for efforts to provide quality education for our learners.
“The challenge is always finances when it comes to quality education, but we did not have to spend a cent on this project. I can only imagine how much more our learners will succeed because of this.
“Blomvlei already has so many success stories and so many of our former learners are really serving this community,” Mr Snyders said.
The Western Cape Education Department’s curriculum advisor for natural sciences, Francois Jones, described Blomvlei Primary as a centre of excellence for the community.
“Blomvlei Primary School made strides at our district science competition, and I am very proud of the learners. I would like to thank the teachers for their commitment and assure you that the district will provide you support and guidance,” Mr Jones said.
Myrtle February, the chairperson of the Garden Cities Archway Foundation, told the pupils that their social circumstances would never define who they became.
Renshia Manuel, chairperson of the Blomvlei school governing body, thanked all those who had made the “state of the art lab” possible.
Former pupil and current teacher Debbie Ringquest said the launch of the science lab marked another major milestone in Blomvlei Primary’s history.
“This will be a place where we as teachers will be able to nurture our learners' love for science, develop critical thinking skills, and successfully prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century,” she said.
At Belgravia High School, principal Brenda Wilson said their new science lab would unlock doors leading to innovation and exploration.
“Science is not just about equations and experiments, it’s about questions and being curious.I would like to thank our generous donors for making our dreams come true. You unknowingly supported our dream,” Ms Wilson said.
John Matthews, the chief executive officer of Garden Cities Archway Foundation, said the science labs they were building at schools in underprivileged communities were all about levelling the playing fields to make sure children from those schools had the same opportunities as children from privileged schools.
