R100 million science academy unveiled in Mpumalanga

Education MEC Reginah Mhaule shakes hands with the president and chief operating officer of mining company South32, Mike Fraser, during the official launch the Maths, Science and Technology Academy. PHOTO: ANA Reporter

Education MEC Reginah Mhaule shakes hands with the president and chief operating officer of mining company South32, Mike Fraser, during the official launch the Maths, Science and Technology Academy. PHOTO: ANA Reporter

Published Oct 3, 2017

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Emalahleni - The Mpumalanga Education department, in a partnership with a multinational mining company South32, on Tuesday launched the Mathematics, Science and Technology Academy in Emalahleni, built at the cost of R100 million with the aim of improving the quality of education in the province.

Mpumalanga Education MEC Reginah Mhaule said the initiative was inspired by the provincial government’s belief that maths, science and technology subjects were the cornerstone to progress.

“These sciences have become essential for our learners, including those preparing to become technicians, engineers, educators, leaders in business and in the public sector,” said Mhaule.

Nkangala District Municipality mayor Linah Malatjie (first from right in the front row) and other Mpumalanga government officials inspect the Maths, Science and Technology Academy in Emalahleni, where learners from various schools also performed experiments.

PHOTO: ANA Reporter

“It is our strong belief that a R100 million investment is a quantum leap of magnanimous proportion aimed at catapulting the transfer of skills, values and knowledge. This investment will inspire many young people to take up careers where there are critical shortages of professionals like doctors, engineers and scientists. 

"We are doing this because we fully understand that maths, science and technology subjects hold a key to free our county from the bondage of the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality.”

The academy boasts maths, science, technology and chemistry laboratories, a library as well as a broadcasting studio. 

President and chief operating officer of mining company South32, Mike Fraser (right), and Nkangala District Municiaplity mayor Linah Malatjie (second from left) stand next to the screen of the studio through which lessons will be broadcast to learners in 101 schools in the province.

PHOTO: ANA Reporter

Mhaule said the academy would be used to train teachers to enhance their capacity, adding lessons would also be broadcast live to learners in 101 schools.

President and chief operating officer of South32 Mike Fraser said the academy was his company’s symbol of giving back to the community.

“It’s well-known that education in the areas of maths and science remains a challenge,” said Fraser. “I’m very proud of this academy because it is something that will help our people.”

African News Agency

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