South Africa - March 26, 2009
Dow Southern Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the global chemical giant Dow has funded a mobile science laboratory that is intended to enhance science tuition in underserved schools in and around Secunda, Mpumalanga. The mobile science laboratory was donated to NGO Osizweni, which was established in 1991 as an education and development centre that focuses on rendering support to the teaching and learning of science at school level.
The Dow Mobile Science Laboratory will be one of the centre’s flagship programs that will enhance Osizweni’s education initiatives and extend its offering to a greater number of schools. The donation forms part of Dow’s global Human Element campaign, the basis of which is Dow’s assertion that there is in fact one element missing from the periodic table in which the building blocks of all life and matter is represented i.e. the Human Element (Hu.) “It is only appropriate that we celebrate our 50th anniversary in South Africa on such an appropriate and uplifting note by contributing to a cause that has the advancement of science at heart,” commented Ms. Sazi Lutseke, Managing Director for Dow Southern Africa. “
The need for the Dow Mobile Science Laboratory stems from the fact that many underserved schools continue to produce very poor pass rates, with average symbols obtained in mathematics and the sciences being particularly poor. “Under the current circumstances, one cannot blame the learners for poor pass rates” commented Osizweni’s Dr. Rufus Wesi, “as invariably, these children have had to learn subjects like Chemistry from Grade 8 to Grade 12 without ever having conducted a single experiment in a laboratory environment, due to lack of resources.”
Dow’s support of Osizweni also has its basis in the South African National Research and Development (R&D) Strategy of 2002 which recognises the critical importance of science and technology to the social and economic development of South Africa and that in order for South Africa to be globally competitive, it is necessary to build the human capital required for innovation and research to take place. The R&D Strategy further recognizes that it is imperative that South Africa produces adequate numbers of scientists, engineers and technologists in order for the country to meet its economic and developmental challenges. It is a well-known fact that a major impediment towards progress in this regard is the state of school-level science education in South Africa, characterized by a lack of qualified teachers who can teach science with the necessary competence. Furthermore, a lack of adequate resources required for effective teaching of science exacerbates the high rate of failure amongst science learners.
Osizweni’s programmes are currently implemented in the Gert Sibande Region of the Mpumalanga Province. “We have been tremendously successful in turning ‘F’s into ‘C’s and ‘C’s into ‘A’s”, commented Dr. Rufus Wesi of Osizweni. “In fact, many of the tutors currently engaged by Osizweni to assist in our programmes are former beneficiaries of the NGO and are currently studying towards BSc and similar degrees.”
The mobile science laboratory has been colourfully branded so as to appeal to learners. It is also fitted with all of the apparatus and basic chemicals required to perform the full range of experiments that high school learners need for the physical science curricula.
“Dow Southern Africa is delighted to be able to support Osizweni’s efforts in this way as we are passionate about science and we also understand that the country and the chemical industry’s need for such interventions is critical,” commented Dow’s Ms. Sazi Lutseke.
About Dow Southern Africa
Dow is a world leader in science and technology solutions, delivering a broad range of products and services to customers in 160 countries. Dow traces its South African origins back to 1959 when its first sales office was established. The company is a significant local industry player and operates through a group of wholly owned subsidiaries namely Sentrachem Limited, Dow Southern Africa (Pty) Limited (including the Chemicals and Automotive businesses) and Dow AgroSciences Southern Africa (Pty) Limited. As a company that has a passion for the betterment of the human condition, Dow continues to be a proactive participant and supporter of Corporate Citizenship programs aimed at conservation and providing support, including education, to orphaned, vulnerable and underserved children. Dow is also supportive of economic transformation in South Africa as well as the Responsible Care® Guiding Principles initiative. More information about Dow Southern Africa can be found at: http://www.dow.com/imea/ssa/about/locations.htm
About Dow
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Doritha Erwee
The Dow Chemical Company
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