Govt turns Pretoria school’s focus into special engineering
The newly refurbished engineering special school will focus on mining industry learning.
The Department of Education launched a newly refurbished engineering special school to focus on mining industry learning in Bronkhorstspruit on Tuesday.
The refurbished Ekangala engineering school of specialisation was previously known as Ekangala comprehensive high school, according to departmental spokesperson Steve Mabona.
I was built in 1985 and mainly focused on academics and the traditional curriculum.
“Given the school’s proximity to mines and it being situated in an industrial area, the need to offer a more skills-focused and dynamic curriculum was identified. Therefore, technical subjects were phased in,” Mabona said.
He said learners at the school had impressive mining industry skills.
“Learners demonstrated a wide variety of critical industry skills such as welding, fitting and turning, automotive mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, excavation and so much more.
“Not only are learners immersed in these high-demand skills, but they are also exposed to the creation and operation of certain machinery and technical equipment.
“The Bronkhorstspruit region is home to mining companies Canyon, Palesa, Sasol and Exxaro. Petra Diamonds Mine is in Cullinan, which is not far from the school, and some quarries mine stones and sand.”
Mabona said the school was among 21 special traits schools the department will be launched in the province soon.
MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the skill-focused school was an initiative to address the increasing unemployment rate.
“We need a generation that will rebuild this beautiful country of ours.
“We want jobs to look for you, we want you to be the generation that will say to the government ‘we do not want your RDP, we will build our own houses,’” Lesufi said.
He said the school would receive more funding from the department.
“Learners in such schools will be able to either work immediately at industry-leading companies or embark on entrepreneurship and start their own businesses.”
Traditional leader, Prince George Mahlangu, who is an engineer by profession, said the community would protect the school.
“There is hope for a solution to the challenges of this country. The role of engineers is to solve problems,” he said
Confidence for me @EducationGP1 @Lesufi @GautengProvince pic.twitter.com/ynVJZfLSJC
— Steve Mabona (@Steve_Mabona) September 13, 2022
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