Western Cape Celebrates 125th Science Teaching and Learning Centre in Major STEM Milestone
A significant milestone has been reached in STEM education as the programme to build Science Teaching and Learning Centres (Science TLCs) at under-resourced schools in the Western Cape has now equipped 125 facilities. This transformative initiative is the result of a partnership between the Garden Cities Archway Foundation, Advancing Knowledge Non-Profit Company (AK NPC), and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED).
Launched in 2011, the Science TLC project evolved from a professional development programme started in 2004 by leading science educationist Professor Shaheed Hartley, Director of Advancing Knowledge NPC. Its core mission is to bolster inquiry-based learning in Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Astronomy through dedicated training, facilities, and resources.
The programme celebrated its 125th centre at Livingstone High School in Lansdowne. This follows the recent opening of four new centres on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, bringing the total constructed this year to eleven.
| Monday, 25 August 2025 | Thursday, 28 August 2025 | Tuesday, 28 October 2025 |
| Fisherhaven Academy, Fisherhaven | Intshayelelo Primary, Khayelitsha | Masiyile High, Khayelitsha |
| Hawston Primary, Hawston | Edendale Primary, Manenberg | Isilimela High, Langa |
| Swartberg Secondary, Caledon | Easter Peak Primary, Heideveld | Thandokhulu High, Mowbray |
| Bissetsdrift Academy, Villiersdorp | Livingstone High, Lansdowne |
These centres are strategically placed across the province, serving schools in areas from Khayelitsha and Manenberg to rural towns like George, Oudtshoorn, and Vredendal. The construction rewards the commitment of teachers and learners who have been historically hampered by a lack of practical facilities.
Professor Hartley emphasized the foundational role of teacher support: “We have to start with the basics—supporting teachers to have the confidence to teach science with an advanced level of understanding, knowledge, and skills.” He added that developing a strong culture of science is essential for preparing learners for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
John Matthews, Group CEO of Garden Cities, highlighted the power of partnership. He explained that their CSI arm, the Archway Foundation, was established to redress historical educational inequalities. “The Science TLC project is one of the vehicles through which Garden Cities… invests in meeting South Africa’s future human resource needs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM),” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Myrtle February, Chairperson of the Archway Foundation, stated, “At Garden Cities, we work from the premise that all learners are born to succeed. Social circumstances and lack of facilities should not determine their future success.”
School principals are already witnessing the impact. Ms. Euginia Matyatya of Masiyile High School said, “We can now demonstrate practical work and allow learners to gain hands-on experience with experiments.”
This sentiment was shared by other principals, including Ms. Thobeka Dlali of Isilimela High School and Mr. Tokyo Mcunu of Thandokhulu High School, who confirmed that the new facilities will enable a greater focus on inquiry-based teaching and mandatory practical work.
Organisations and corporates wishing to support this initiative in building a future STEM workforce are encouraged to contact Prof. Hartley at [email protected] or on 083 793 0436.