Parktown High School for Girls a fount for Stem
DESPITE there being a global demand for careers in the science field, there were only 11% female engineers globally by October 2017.
This is according to an article published by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
We have just embarked on International Day for Women and Girls in Science on February 11, and the day was aimed at shining the spotlight on the active participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) careers.
According to ByDesign Communications, Stem skills are the foundation upon which the country’s development and future prosperity is built.
Not only are these essential skills that will take the mining sector forward, but they will also grow new engineering talent, which is imperative to liberate the country from underdevelopment.
To bridge the gap and to further equip South African females, Anglo American became a driving pioneer in efforts to encourage females to pursue careers in the field.
The mining company funded a multimillion-rand science centre at Parktown High School for Girls in Joburg.
This is a government high school that educates a diverse grouping of girls across class, race and culture, and it also happens to be one of Gauteng’s top-performing schools.
It boasts a consistent 100% matric pass rate and achieved a 97% Bachelor’s degree entrance rate in the 2017 matric results.
Anglo American, through its Chairman’s Fund, co-invested in the project in January 2015, hoping that would present an opportunity to show female pupils the practical relevance of science and engineering, and to open up the Stem fields as viable career options for young girls.
According to the school principal, Tracey Megom, the idea for the centre was birthed 15 years ago, but finances were a constraint. Parents then started raising funds and looking for partners to push this initiative.
“Without that funding, it might have taken us another three to four years to complete the project,” said Megom.
The science centre was officially opened in late 2016 and the school revealed that its effects were almost immediate, as 30% more Grade 9 pupils choose science as a matric subject.
Megom said the centre’s effect would be felt even more keenly in the future.
“There will be more girls doing science and, obviously, having access to a great facility encourages them to work hard.
“These learners will then presumably pursue science and engineering qualifications at university and will go on to meaningfully fill gaps within the under-represented Stem sectors, ultimately leading to progress in our country.”