COSAT, Centre of Science and Technology
Mission
No excuse just success.
Description
We are the first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) School in the Western Cape.
The curriculum is aimed at Grade 8 - 12 learners, especially those with interest in the sciences, medical and engineering careers.
We offer the following subjects: isiXhosa Home Language, Sesotho Home Language, English, Mathematics, IEB AP Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Science, Information Technology and Life Orientation.
SERI [The Science Education Resources Initiative] is a registered, non-profit organization that operates in Khayelitsha, a residential township in the Cape Town Metropole. SERI was formed in August, 2004, in response to the critical state of Mathematics and Science education in South Africa. Its purpose was twofold: to initiate programmes to allow young people with talent to reach their potential and to secure the funding necessary to maintain the very high standards set by the Centre of Science and Technology [COSAT].
In the Khayelitsha primary schools, SERI identifies Grade 7 learners of ability who have an interest in Maths and Science. It then supports these learners through their high school years, to ensure that they perform to their potential in the school-leaving examinations and are well-prepared for tertiary studies in Science-related fields.
COSAT first opened its doors in 1999 to a very small group of talented Grade 10s with an interest in Maths and Science, who had been invited from local schools to complete their secondary education at COSAT. There was no subject choice [and this has never changed] all learners did the requisite languages, plus Maths, Science, Biology and Computer Studies. Our first Matric class was in 2001 and, typically, we had a 100% pass rate, a high exemption rate and a healthy spread of subject distinctions. At the very beginning, the precedence for excellence was set.