17 August 2017
Leading manufacturer and assembler of automotive air-conditioning and engine cooling components Smiths Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd has invested in a “state of the art” Science laboratory at Sithokozile Secondary School in Pinetown. The School received the latest CAPS compliant Physical Science, Natural Science, and Technology resources together with a fully resourced laboratory.
It is envisaged that this will contribute to an improvement in the learner’s performance in Science, Technology, and Engineering at school level so that more learners can pursue careers requiring these subjects at a tertiary level which is essential to the economic growth of our country in the future.
“A good education is founded on the premise that the environment is conducive to the practice of learning. It should be able to make available to learners the infrastructure, facilities, and resources necessary for learning. Sadly, in South Africa, the legacy of our past does not always render this basic fundamental a reality. All too often we find that our country’s schools – especially those serving the historically disadvantaged or today’s lower income groups – do not measure-up. Many fall short in terms of both infrastructure and the provision of the tools necessary to give effect to efficient teaching and effective learning and we hope that our contribution is a small step to making an improvement” said Paul Vermaak the Human Resources Director at Smiths Manufacturing.
Sithokozile Secondary Principal, Mr. Mtheku says “We believe that this science laboratory will help to improve the performance of learners in these subjects at our local schools. This will enable them to go on to university and ultimately begin careers in engineering and scientific fields. It is clear that by providing essential equipment in classrooms we can boost academic performance at schools.
According to Mr. Louis Taylor, Director of Partnerships in education, “The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is highly appreciative of the contributions made by businesses in order to improve the quality of education in less privileged communities. The DBE welcomes this initiative by Smiths Manufacturing and we will ensure that the Science Laboratory donated will be optimized by Sithokozile Secondary School
The Smiths Manufacturing Rainbow Nation Committee which is responsible for all CSI initiatives carefully selects the schools from the regions where their associates come from and where their children might be attending school.
The project was also coordinated and managed by Ahmed Motala of the New Africa Education Foundation, an NPO that has partnered with Smiths Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to roll out projects at previously disadvantaged schools.
