Western Cape education minister Donald Grant officially opened the new Centre of Science and Technology (COSAT) school, in Khayelitsha, last week.
COSAT is one of three science, technology, engineering and mathematics facilities in the Western Cape. The other two existing facilities are the Cape Academy, in Tokai, and the new Claremont High School.
The facilities include a media centre, four computer labs, a mathematics subject room, two physical science labs, two chemistry labs and a technology room.
The department says the school had previously been situated on the False Bay College premises, co-sharing the site with False Bay Further Education and Training College.
The decision to relocate the school to a new facility was taken in 2009 and a new school building was planned as part of the Western Cape Education Department's new infrastructure programme.
Grant says the decision to relocate the school had been taken for a number of reasons.
“First and foremost was the need to expand access to quality education. COSAT is one of this province's best performing schools, and in order to expand access and create further opportunities for the young learners of Khayelitsha, a bigger school was, therefore, required.”
He adds that now COSAT has enrolled Grade 8 learners at the school, with learner numbers expected to rise to 500 by 2014. Enrolment increased from 194 in 2010 to 278 in 2011.
“Therefore, with the relocation and the building of the new school, 300 additional learners will now have access to quality education. This is particularly significant because of the school's emphasis on maths, science and technology,” says Grant.
He adds that these subjects are key to the economic development and progress of any country. The cost of the new school is R26 million. Building began in August 2010 and was completed in April 2011.
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