The newly unveiled science laboratory at Russel Bungeni High School in Bungeni Village, Limpopo, has ignited the love for science amongst the learners at the school.
Unveiled earlier in April 2024 by the Department of Science and Innovation, the lab has been fitted with science equipment and it aims to introduce Grade 10 to Grade 12 learners from rural villages to the world of science by giving them tools that allow them to have practical knowledge of the subject.
The learners from Russel Bungeni and nine other schools will be able to do science experiments, something that they are all looking forward to.
In an attempt to introduce learners to science early in their schooling careers, learners in Grade 8 and 9 will also be able to conduct experiments at the lab.
Grade 12 learner, Hlamulo Mabundza says he is excited to have a lab inside his school and is looking forward to using the equipment that gives him the opportunity to put what he has learned into practice.
Before the lab, Mabundza and his fellow classmates would travel to a school in Vuwani, a village over an hour away from their school for their science experiments. These trips were a financial burden that he is glad to no longer have to deal with.
“Having the lab at our school means a lot to me and my classmates because it shows that we are being recognised and supported,” says Mabundza.
“I am relieved that we will no longer have to spend money on transport when we have to do our experiments. I am now more encouraged to pursue science because we will be doing the experiments on our own and I really appreciate what has been done for us,” he adds.
A teacher at Russel Bungeni, Tinyiko Shirindza adds that the teaching and learning of science subjects will be improved now that there is access to a science lab at the school. Describing it as a dream come true, the natural science and physical science teacher says he is more pleased that some of the practical lessons will also result in products that can be used by the school.
“This lab will enable us to do practical lessons that will allow our learners to manufacture products like peanut butter and pine gel which we can then use to clean our school,” says Shirindza.
He adds that the solar-powered lab will further help ensure that the school remains powered during power outages that sometimes delay printing and photocopying of learning materials.
“We are no longer going to struggle with water because we now have two boreholes that are connected to the solar energy system and they supply us with 5000 litres of water each. This will help us maintain our school garden and the community will also be able to get water from these tanks,” adds Shirindza.