Hon Speaker, the ANC applauds the official opening, by President Jacob Zuma, of the first-ever science and technology high school for the learners of Mvezo in the Eastern Cape.
The Nelson Mandela School of Science and Technology, named after the late former President Nelson Mandela, is a public-private partnership between government and the information and communications technology company, Siemens.
The state-of-the-art science and technology school will provide an opportunity for 700 learners from about 24 feeder primary schools to study at this school. The school will go a long way in addressing the challenges in science and technology, which is needed to advance the country's economy.
This school of science will be a training ground for the leaders of tomorrow. We hope that in honour of uTata Madiba, and by using his life story as their inspiration, the learners will go forth and do us proud in their various fields of choice.
The ANC believes that this initiative will assist in improving the quality of teaching and learning in the Eastern Cape, particularly with regard to performance in mathematics, science and overall matric results. I thank you.