Tlholohelo Mosala
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane launched Thuto-Tiro Engineering School of Specialisation with a focus on Energy at Sebokeng on Thursday, making this the 33rd school of its kind to be launched by the Gauteng Province – etching it closer to the envisioned target.
“It is clear what we hope to achieve as a government, to create model citizens out of our learners by exposing them to critical skills that are needed in this economy. We are creating the future of our province, and our country as education is the foundation of all careers,” Chiloane said.
MEC Chiloane said that focus of School of Specialisation was based on the Southern Economic Development Corridor, which has tourism and entertainment, agri-processing and logistics industries.
The school is based in Sebokeng, a middle-class township in the Emfuleni Local Municipality in southern Gauteng; and in light of the township being segmented into various zones, the hostel residence was located on the periphery, when entering from Vanderbijlpark.
Chiloane said the schools of specialisation do not have a fixed feeder area, so anyone should be able to benefit by having their children accepted at the school, depending on the outcome of the assessment for admission.
He said that the establishment of this school is aligned with the Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) commitment to developing Townships, Informal Settlements and Hostels (TISH), enabling communities to benefit from the vast array of resources at the school’s disposal, as well as the advanced skills that learners will acquire.
As such, learners demonstrated an extensive knowledge in Engineering Graphics & Design (EGD) as a subject, which provides knowledge and skills that centre around mechanical, civil and electrical technology.
In addition, learners showcased their proficiency in Electrical Technology and Power Systems, demonstrating their own automated power system as well as solar inverter.
Mechanical Engineering and Civil Technology is also taught at the school, where learners gain skills in welding, sawing, fitting and turning, as well as woodwork and construction.
“This level of advanced education, coupled with commercial stream subjects, prepares learners to utilise these skills on an entrepreneurial level, not only tackling the skills gap, but addressing unemployment as well,” Chiloane said.
The MEC said enriching the foundation with an abundance of advanced skills, would result in more competent, knowledgeable, capable and proficient learners who were ready to either be employed upon exiting the system, or venture into entrepreneurship and create employment for others.
He said that the launch of these schools was in line with the department’s vision of creating problem-solvers that could effectively facilitate the development of solutions to the problems facing communities by members from the community itself.
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