ACORNHOEK – Private and public partnership yielded results as one maths, science and technology (MST) school in the province, Acorn to Oaks Comprehensive School was recently officially opened by various stakeholders and the minister of basic education, Ms Angie Motshekga.
MST schools aim to improve learners’ capabilities of thoroughly comprehending these three subjects – maths, science and technology – with the aim of addressing the scarcity of skills in these fields.
According to the founder of the school, Dr Reuel Khoza, also the chairman of Buffelshoek Trust, the vision of the school’s inception began in 2005 and the actual construction commenced in 2011.
He said the institution would act as a satellite school for the department through excellence in teaching and learning. It was initiated by Buffelshoek Trust which then approached sponsors with which to partner. It was completed in 2014 when it opened its doors and attracted over 430 learners from Thulamahashe, Manyeleti and surrounding villages.
“A five-year journey from humble beginnings and humble decisions led us to this moment,” Khoza said. He expressed his appreciation to the Mnisi Tribal Authority for giving them the land, as well as various private sectors which helped in the funding of the school with Vodacom being the key sponsor with over R7,5 million.
Other significant contributors include Nedbank, Old Mutual, Corobrick, Anderback, Barloworld, Murray & Roberts and many more.
The Department of Education also contributed more than R23 million to this project.
