Learners from Woodville Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain could not contain their enthusiasm and excitement when they got to explore various scientific games at the Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC) in Observatory on Wednesday 24 January.
Learners from Woodville Primary School in Mitchell’s Plain could not contain their enthusiasm and excitement when they got to explore various scientific games at the Cape Town Science Centre (CTSC) in Observatory on Wednesday 24 January.
The day formed part of the International Day of Education commemorated on Wednesday.
The day promotes equal access to quality education for all children.
The event was made possible by the non-profit organisation (NPO) Primary Science Programme (PSP) in partnership with Coronation Fund Managers.
The organisation aims to improve the quality of primary-school teaching and learning in critical subjects of Maths, Science, language and the environment in disadvantaged communities.
A total of 160 Grade 3 learners got to explore and play games, all in the name of fun and learning.
Dr Zorina Dharsey, Director of PSP, said the day aimed to make science fun and accessible to children.
“International benchmarks show that South African learners are underperforming in Science at Grade 5 and Grade 9 level (the years in which they are assessed) as compared to their peers around the world. Children from Singapore, Taiwan and China outperform our learners in science by more than double.
She explained some learners struggle with problem-solving in Maths and Science.
“One of our challenges in South Africa is that Science is introduced as a subject in Grade 4 when ideally it should be introduced at the ECD (preschool) level. This is why we work with companies such as Coronation to take Science into under-resourced schools at the foundation-phase level.
“We are lagging far behind, but our children have the potential, and it’s how we nurture and grow this potential and the aptitude towards learning. We must encourage children to make learning a habit.”
Mary-Anne Musekiwa, chair of the CSI Committee at Coronation, said the company partnered with the PSP in 2013.
“We believe focusing on primary education, numeracy and sciences is a way in which we can change the future for a number of our children in underprivileged communities,” she said.
“There is a great focus on numeracy and literacy in this country, but I think we also should be focusing on a curiosity that children naturally have and fun engagement with mathematics and science.
“And spaces such as this centre allow for that. For us education is the key change agent for SA and to support initiatives like this is how we do it.”
Learner Elijah Alexander would like to pursue a career in science one day.
“I had fun playing with all my friends. Science is a lot of fun.”
Nadeem Verkuil explained that it was his first visit to the science centre.
“I enjoyed playing with the bricks. I learned a lot here.”
Khairah Herman could not contain her fascination and said she “loved seeing how things work”.
