Gauteng MEC for Education, Barbara Creecy recently launched the science education centre at the Newtown Precinct in Johannesburg. The R350 million centre will be used to highlight and encourage learners from grade 4 to 12 to take maths, science and technology as subjects of choice.
Since its opening until now, Sci–Bono has seen learners from 140 000 schools walking through its doors. The centre plans to open its doors to learners in the foundation phase in the near future. The glittering ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from the department, business partners and members of the public.
Speaking at the function, MEC Creecy said that among their objectives was to raise the bar for overall education achievement by delivering quality education in the classroom everyday and reducing the gap between those schools and learners who have been underperforming consistently for a few years.
“Young people should leave our institutions with values, knowledge, skills and qualifications that would give a chance of succeeding in life. Sci–Bono has the elements to play precisely the role that is needed to renew education today. It has been doing cutting edge work in the fields of developing talent pipeline programmes in maths, science and career education. It has also excelled in developing partnership with the public and private sector in pursuance of its objectives,” said MEC Creecy.
Furthermore, MEC Creecy said she had had discussions with the newly appointed head of department, Boy Ngobeni about redefining the relationship between her department and structures such as Sci–Bono, Matthew Goniwe, Global City Region Academy and the Gauteng Education Trust Fund.
“The department has not been performing at its best in ensuring that these structures are integrated into the work of Gauteng Department of Education. We have to and will change the perception that these structures though overseen by their boards, could not contribute meaningfully in developing the strategy and programmes of the department. I have requested that chief executive officer’s of these structures serve in the management of the department,” commented MEC Creecy.
Addressing the guests who attended the ceremony, the chairperson of the board at Sci–Bono, Phiroshaw Camay said he was pleased that their hard work had finally come to fruition.
“It has been five years of hard work and toil since we met and conceptualised an institution of this magnitude. It took three Premiers to open this science education centre. I’m proud to say that at long last we have opened this facility including the unveiling of three plagues,” explained Camay.
The Chief Executive Office of the centre, David Kramer said Sci–Bono is also geared at making the public interested in science and supporting teachers in being completely computer literate. Kramer further said the centre has a partnership with Metrorail to help schools in outside Johannesburg to reach the place.
Meanwhile, Sci–Bono has been given the task of implementing the Teacher Relief programme which will be rolled out by the department next year. Educators who will be involved in this teacher development programme are to be identified over the course of the coming few months.
Issued by: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
20 October 2009
Source: Department of Education, Gauteng Provincial Government
(http://www.education.gpg.gov.za/)
