The brand new state of the art science laboratory at Goso Forest Junior Secondary School will kickstart the establishment of a science education hub in the Lusikisiki area of the Eastern Cape.
The lab was built at a cost of R1.5 million by mining company AngloGold Ashanti, which draws a significant number of its employees from the area.
Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Angie Motshekga was on hand to officially hand over the science lab, alongside Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu and AngloGold Ashanti Chief Executive, Mr Mike O’Hare.
The establishment of the science laboratory means that the 20 schools in the circuit now have access to state of the art facilities, giving learners the opportunity to better explore this crucial subject.
Addressing the community at the unveiling of the new facilities, Minister Motshekga expressed her delight at the transformation of Goso Forest, which was established in 1976 and has grown to accommodate 927 learners.
“It is strong partnerships like this, with business and sister government departments, which supports Government’s declaration of education as an apex priority,” said Minister Motshekga.
“The public schooling system needs infrastructure as it enables the provision of quality education and studies have shown that this has an impact on learner achievement.
As government we have been handing over a new school every week to communities in the Eastern Cape but this is not enough. However, I am confident that through partnerships such as this one working together we can do more to achieve the goal of quality education.”
AngloGold CEO Mike ‘O Hare reminded those present that such projects were not just to open new facilities.
“We, AngloGold, the DBE and the DMR, are not just here to open up a new facility. We are here because we care about the people of this area,” he concluded.
