Gauteng education dept launches research and innovation focused school in Hammanskraal
Sikhululekile maths, science and ICT School of Specialisation is the 31st school of its kind to be launched in Gauteng.
The Gauteng education department launched a research and innovation-focused school in Temba, Hammanskraal on Thursday, February 8.
The Sikhululekile maths, science and ICT school of specialisation is based on the economic development corridor in Tshwane, which has research, innovation (knowledge) nuclear science, technology and automotive industries.
[WATCH]: Following a severe cholera outbreak, learners from Sikhululekile Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation with the focus on Research and Innovation in Hammanskraal underwent extensive research to create a water purification system and water testing kits for the… pic.twitter.com/bBAc0GANA2
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) February 8, 2024
Sikhululekile is the 31st school of specialisation to be launched in Gauteng.
“This school is the first of six schools that will be launched between February and March. As a department we aim to have 36 schools of specialisation in total in the province,” said MEC Matome Chiloane.
[WATCH]: 3D printing and virtual reality-augmented reality education, those are the futuristic skills which learners at Sikhululekile Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation with the focus on Research and Innovation in Hammanskraal are taught.#GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/rBmInUzVhL
— Gauteng Department of Education (@EducationGP1) February 8, 2024
The school is fully equipped with smart classrooms, 3D printers, virtual reality/augmented reality headsets, science labs and a maths park.
“Schools of specialisation are a legacy programme that was started in 2014 following extensive research on contemporary curriculum.
A need was identified to provide a more advanced curriculum that equips learners with skills that are pertinent to today’s economy and increasingly prepares them for diverse careers upon exiting our system.
The answer to this was re-establishing existing schools into institutions that specialise in maths, science and ICT (information and communications technology), engineering, commerce and entrepreneurship, performance and creative arts, and sports respectively,” Matome said.
He added that the specialisation, and focus, within each of these is determined by the economic corridor in which they are located.
“Therefore, the department forms partnerships with industry-leading companies to enhance the provision and credibility of these skills.
We are not only cementing our commitment to quality education and youth development, but also building highly skilled learners whose knowledge and innovation have the capability of revitalising the economy of Temba, and the province at large.”
He said these schools need to be the beacons of hope in the community, the country and the world.
“This is what we seek to achieve across our province, equipping our learners to compete on a global scale and become industry leaders,” he said.
Learners demonstrated an array of innovative scientific solutions to problems the local community had faced through the years:
– Grade 9 and 10 learners created a smart farm on a dumpsite on the campus, where they now cultivate a wide variety of vegetables using a four-switch water irrigation system.
– Grade 11 learners developed an bioethanol biofuel, the school can use as an alternative sustainable energy source.
– A water purification system following a cholera outbreak in the community.
– A water testing kit which can be sold to the community for only R80.
WATCH :
All of these innovations emanated from their own research into what problems affect the community.
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