Chronicle Editor
Yoliswa Dube-Moyo, Mat South Bureau Chief
GOVERNMENT will next year support 500 schools across the country with resources to convert existing classrooms into laboratories as it forges ahead with the development of STEM education.
The move is expected to help improve the development of requisite human capital for infrastructure development, a key socioeconomic development pillar of the country’s economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1.
Speaking at an event to present Sikhathini High School in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South province with the Secretary’s Merit Award, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education permanent secretary Mrs Tumisang Thabela said the ministry had come up with the recommendation that schools without laboratories should convert an existing classroom into a laboratory.
“Government, with the support of its partners will thus see 500 schools supported in 2022 with resources to carry this strategy forward. One key pillar of the National Development Strategy 1 is infrastructure, an enabler of our programming as a sector.
Even as some of our schools, especially in emerging settlements are struggling with coming up with enabling infrastructure for their learners, I would like to applaud the Sikhathini School leadership and your stakeholders for the great effort and commitment that has seen you come up with solid and good-looking buildings which are in a very good state,” said Mrs Thabela.
She commended the school for committing its resources to the development of STEM education as witnessed by its rehabilitated science laboratory.
“We saw the new-look laboratory that is well-fitted with gas systems, water piping systems and electricity. Proper science teaching cannot happen in an empty classroom block.
It must be supported by systems that allow for practical activities. Putting up such infrastructure pushes the ministry’s agenda to move education from the former theoretical realm to the realm of application and technology,” said Mrs Thabela.
She hailed the school and the community for the investment adding that this kind of outlay makes science learning both easy and enjoyable for the learners.
“We appreciate the schools’ plan to come up with yet another such lab as they forge ahead with the development of STEM education and so help improve the development of requisite human capital for this key socioeconomic development pillar of our National Development Strategy 1.
This community stands to benefit if it can grow its own future professionals,” said Mrs Thabela. — @Yolisswa
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