The Anton Lembede Mathematics, Sciences and Technology Academy is a new type of school – the first in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) – which is designed to create future innovators.
Named after the inaugural president of the ANC Youth League, struggle hero Anton Lembede, the North Coast school is a pilot project with a unique curriculum focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The school was built on the site of the old La Mercy Primary at a cost of R252 million and opened on February 15.
“The province is focusing on either closing down those non-viable institutions or merging them with other schools to ensure a high standard of academics,” said Anton Lembede principal, Dumisani Sibaya.
The academy represents the first step in a plan to combat the skill deficit in STEM-related subjects across the province.
The school is fitted with smart boards, laptops, science laboratories and 3D printers.
“Students are being trained to be future innovators and with the way the world is shifting, this means they have to have a grounding in technology,” said Sibaya.
The curriculum differs from mainstream government schooling in that all students have to take Life Sciences, Physics, Life Skills and Core Mathematics.
English and isiZulu are both taught at a home language level given the situation of the school in KZN, said Sibaya.
“We wanted to make sure that we do not generalise, so students do the same subjects from Grade 8 to ensure they have consistency throughout their high school career.”
Additionally, all students must be boarders to ensure they complete a school day with 9 learning hours, which is significantly longer than the 5 and a half hour hours in the mainstream curriculum.
The school has opened with 134 Grade 8 learners and is expected to reach capacity of 600 by 2025.
Fees are subsidised R42 400 per year, which includes boarding, meals, uniforms and stationery.
There are bursaries available for children from low-income homes provided they have the necessary academic results.
“We pick students from all 12 districts in the province, so we are really sifting the best from the best in our school.”
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