Hundreds of learners in Sutherland, Northern Cape, will now have access to practical science lessons following the handover of mobile of laboratories to two schools in the area yesterday.

Two mobile science labs donated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to Roggeveld Primary School and Sutherland High School, will provide hands-on activities and experiences to learners who never had access to such facilities before. The labs are equipped with science apparatus and chemicals to enable teachers and learners to conduct prescribed school experiments.

The schools received the equipment following a visit to the area by the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, last year. The Minister promised to assist the community with learning equipment to improve the learning standards, thus inspire young people to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.

Speaking on behalf of Minister Pandor at the handover ceremony, the Department’s Deputy Director-General for Institutional Planning and Support, Tommy Makhode, said learners should learn science by touching and doing. “This will drive out the perception that science is foreign and inaccessible.”

Mr Makhode added that the donation of these portable labs should be seen as cementing the journey of a local child to work as a scientist in the province’s astronomy facilities.

With the province being home to the world’s largest optical telescope, the Southern African Largest Telescope and the Square Kilometre Array radio telescope, the DDG said there was a growing need to enhance the environment for learners here to actively participate in science which should contribute to the country’s quest to develop future astronomers.  

Principal of Roggeveld Intermediate School, Mr Neville Van Wky, welcomed the donation saying it would encourage learners to take their studies very seriously.  

“We have been striving to improve the quality of education in the area, especially maths and science. As such the laboratory will enable the province to move forward and be advanced”, he said.

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology

For more information, contact David Mandaha on 072 126 8910 or Veronica Mohapeloa on 082 882 3818.