Thandokhulu High School unveils a cutting-edge science lab for students

Thandokhulu High School pupils will be able to expand their imaginations in their new science lab unveiled on Tuesday, October 28.

The new lab at the Mowbray-based high school was made possible by a collaboration between the Western Cape  Education Department (WCED), Garden Cities Archway Foundation, and Advancing Knowledge, a non-profit.

The project costs R3 million, and the WCED covered 40% of the costs, and Garden Cities Archway Foundation and Advancing Knowledge covered 30% each.

Thandokhulu High School acting principal Tokyo Mcunu thanked the WCED and the two partners for providing their new science lab. Mr Mcunu said their school saw the need to have their lab upgraded, as many of their current laboratory equipment and materials were outdated or in disrepair.

“By modernising our lab with updated equipment, such as digital measuring instruments and modern chemical reagents, we can ensure that students are well-prepared for higher education and will be competitive,” he said.

Mr Mcunu said the new lab is inspiring and will create an environment that sparks curiosity and fosters learning.

Advancing Knowledge director Professor Shaheed Hartley said this new science lab will allow pupils to experience the curriculum practically.

“Instead of just doing theory, they can engage in practical lab work. Once you do things practically, you will remember it better,” he said. Their organisation was responsible for providing the laboratory equipment and will provide training for the teachers working with the new lab equipment.

Garden Cities Archway Foundation CEO John Matthews said the science lab is about providing facilities for the pupils.

“We want to provide a catalyst for the pupils to grow and be on a level playing field so that they can compete in a bigger, wider world,” he said. The Garden Cities Archway Foundation was responsible for the construction and renovation of a room at the high school, which was used for the lab.

Grade 11 Thandokhulu High pupils, Silindokuhle Nama and Thato Lufele, were excited for the opening of their new lab. Silindokuhle said the science lab will give her opportunities to experience new things. “It will allow us to learn practically, so that when we do exams, we will understand, so this lab will benefit us,” she said.

That said, the new science lab means a lot to him.

“This will allow me to learn the real-life experience of science, not just learn from a book, but to translate it from the book to the real world,” he said.