Pupils from Richard Varha High School in Dimbaza will no longer have to rely on their imaginations when doing science thanks to a new laboratory sponsored by the University of Western Cape (UWC).
Despite not having a science laboratory, the no-fee school with an enrolment of 1200 grades 8 to 12 pupils, has been ranked as one of the top performing schools in the Eastern Cape when it comes to this subject.
Under the leadership of Sicelo Adonis, the principal who specialises in the subject, the Class of 2017 obtained 86% in the subject, with five pupils attaining distinctions.
The new, fully-fledged lab, which can accommodate up to 50 pupils, features all lab equipment and scientific instruments, including an interactive board.
Speaking to the Saturday Dispatch, Adonis said teaching science without a science lab was a huge challenge, with teachers having to use the little they had to conduct their experiments and demonstrations, but most of the time they just had to teach the theory of science.
“It’s hard for a learner to understand why a chemical reacts a certain way if you just teach them the theory – if they can be shown [the chemical] reactions, however, science becomes easy,” said Adonis.
Last year a report from the Institute for Race Relations revealed only around 6% of high schools in the province have labs.
This was the fourth school science lab that was opened this week. The department of education’s superintendant-general, Themba Kojana, revealed that the department had invested R5-million in establishing science labs in schools located in Mthatha, Dutywa and Butterworth. These labs were all officially handed over and opened this week.
The Dimbaza lab was officially opened yesterday by representatives from UWC and the department of education. — arethal@dispatch.co.za..