The Kruger National Park (KNP) and the Provincial Departments of Education have partnered to build and supply schools in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga areas with science labs.
This is in an effort to enhance teaching and learning in rural schools particularly in the Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) subjects. There is also a need to increase participation and performance in MST as the country needs the skills base that these subjects provide in order to gear up for the fourth industrial revolution.
The Bunny Khosa High School in Ximhungwe, Mpumalanga, is the first school to benefit from the partnership with the KNP having built and funded a world class science lab to the tune of R1.5 million. This is as part of its community development initiative.
The Bunny Khosa High School was established in 1992 as a small community school with just 70 learners in Grade 7. Today the school boasts over 700 learners between Grade 8 and 12.
“Historically, the school was a good performing school. And because of that, the Department of Education took interest in the school. It then decided to turn the school into a Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) school, which meant that these subjects were compulsory for all students in the school,” said Jennifer Mnisi, acting principal of Bunny Khosa High School.
“Because of MST our results started to shake a bit. In 2022 we had 56.4% pass rate. In 2021 it went to 44.1, in 2022 there was a small improvement to 46.8%. We are happy that today we have a lab, and we can say, you will see more improvements in our learners’ performance,” Mnisi said.
The KNP also works in partnership with the Ximhungwe community to create employment and development opportunities such as the greening project, arts and crafts project, and the recycling project.
Managing Executive for KNP Oscar Mthimkhulu said that the vision for the South African National Parks as a whole, is to build a world class system of national parks that reconnects and inspires society. He said that on the one hand, there is a need to empower communities to become conservation agents, and on the other hand, the community needs to be empowered to change its economic trajectory.
“What we are presenting is to say, we are all in this together. We can only move forward with the communities’, we can only move forward if we become relevant to the people of South Africa and society and communities that live around protected areas,” he said.
Mthimkhulu highlighted the importance of education and the reason behind the science lab investment.
“We all know education is the key. I myself am a product of the rural education system. For us, we could only learn the theoretical side of things. And we succeeded against all odds. The learners of today have an opportunity, and it is time for them to excel and that is why we are presenting this kind of facility to the community,” he said.
Learners at the Bunny Khosa High School are excited about their new science lab and plan to take full advantage of the opportunities it presents.
“I’m really look forward to being able to do experiments. We’ve been learning all the theory and now we will be able to do the actual experiments,” Grade 12 learner, Andile Khosa said.
He plans to intern as a park ranger in the Kruger National Park next year after completing his matric.
Octavia Consolation, another learner at the school, promises the KNP a return on their investment. “Prosperity is now our main charge for success. The beginning of our science journey just got interesting, all thanks to Kruger National Park. We can’t thank you enough, but we hope we will make you proud,” she said.
Representing the Department of Education, Dr Khathu Khomola, CES Circuit Coordinator of the Bohlabela District expressed his gratitude and said the investment by KNP will change the lives of the learners and the community at large.
“That structure will be a tool that will put wisdom into your heads. Take care of that structure. Let your children and grandchildren, also be able to benefit from that structure,” he said.
Mthimkhulu said the KNP will be handing over another science lab in Limpopo in the coming weeks. – dikatso@mukurukuru.co.za
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