Norma Road gets science lab

The science lab at Norma Road Primary School

Norma Road Primary School, in Silvertown, opened its new science lab last Thursday.

Known as the Science Teaching and Learning Centre, it was sponsored by the Garden Cities Archway Foundation, the Advancing Knowledge non-profit company, and the Western Cape Education Department.

De Heide Primary School in Bredasdorp, Sokhanyo Primary School in Gugulethu, Emil Weder Secondary School in Genadendal, Westbank No.1 Primary School in Blue Downs, De Rust Futura Secondary School in Grabouw and Groenberg Secondary in Grabouw have also received science labs, according to Shaheed Hartley, the director of Advancing Knowledge.

Myrtle February, chairwoman of the Garden Cities Archway Foundation’s board, said the lab created opportunities for pupils to aspire to a better life.

“All we need is for a teacher or principal to see every child. We need to see our children to look at their dreams. At the Archway, we have identified education as our corporate responsibility, having sponsored about 100 science labs and given bursaries.

“There must be a workable solution for dysfunction in our schools so that our country can move forward. Norma Road has a long history, and you have educated thousands of kids, and I encourage you to keep doing it and use the facility to the best of your ability. Give kids a chance to dream because without it we are lost.”

The Garden Cities Archway Foundation is an Edgemead-based non-profit-organisation that helps poor communities in Cape Town.

Ronald Campher, the school’s principal, said his pupils were thrilled with the new lab.

“The school has been waiting for this for 70 years,” he said. “This is our first science lab. It was a dance room which we converted into a science lab.”

Mr Hartley said it was important for children to learn how to analyse data and make evidence-based decisions, and they needed to pick up those investigative skills while they were still in primary school.

“Science must be taught from the foundation phase,” he said, adding: “We look forward to learners taking part in science competitions.”

Myrtle February, chairwoman of the Garden Cities Archway Foundation’s board, says the science lab creates opportunities for pupils to aspire to a better life.

Unveiling the plaque in the science lab, from left, are Norma Road Primary School principal Ronald Campher, Advancing Knowledge non-profit company director Shaheed Hartley, chairwoman of the Garden Cities Archway Foundation board Myrtle February and CEO of the Garden Cities Archway Foundation John Matthews.