SMERO EDENDALE PMB

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Smero Secondary Edendale Pietrmartzburg – Science Resource Boost for School

THEORISING science experiments will be a thing of the past for Smero Secondary pupils after the Willowton group donated R75 000 worth of science equipment to the school last week.

The donation consists of a physical science kit for Grade 10-12 pupils, a natural science kit for Grade 8-9 pupils and a life science kit for Grade 10-12 pupils. Despite the Department of Education having built a physical science laboratory for the school two years ago, it was difficult to perform experiments without resources. Principal Girlie Madonsela then searched for corporate sponsorship after which NPO  New Africa Education Foundation – linked the school to the Willowton group.

While a lack of resources remains a problem, the school has succeed beyond odds, having produced three pupils who are studying medicine – one in Cuba. Madonsela said: “This donation will make a huge difference, not only to the school, but to the community because now there will be scientists who can uplift the area. Previously we had walls without equipment. The teachers would theorise and improvise when teaching pupils.”

Willowton Group chairman Farouk Moosa said the donation came at a time when the country is facing a dire shortage of skilled people in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“All too often we find our country’s schools, especially those serving historically disadvantaged or today’s lower income groups, do not measure up in terms of resources. Many fall short in terms of both infrastructure and the provision of the tools that are necessary to give effect to efficient teaching and learning and we hope our contribution is a small step to making an improvement,” he said