Pupils learn to look at the future

Children need to be introduced to different things at school and be able to learn to specialise in fields that are important for the economy, Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said on Monday.

Lesufi opened an aviation school in Rhodesfield, Ekurhuleni, that will teach pupils everything about aviation and engineering.

The Rhodesfield Engineering School is the third school of specialisation in Gauteng that uses nuclear technology, he said.

“That we have opened three schools that specialise in use of nuclear is something to be proud of,” he said. “We went to SA Airways and asked that they donate an engine for a township school.

“They told us that an engine of a 747 engine is expensive, and costs R320 million, but they donated the engine anyway. Today, one of our Soweto schools can dismantle that engine and build it again while in a township classroom.”

Lesufi said Gauteng plans to open a maritime school in the Vaal before the end of next year, as it continues with plans to increase specialisation schools.

“We might not have an ocean in Gauteng but we want to launch a maritime school. The ocean economy is growing, and we want our children to participate in that.”

The department of education partnered with the SA Nuclear Energy Corporation to establish such schools. The project aims to create maths, science, and ICT schools of specialisation in townships to focus on nuclear technology and its applications. – ANA