MMABATHO high school in Mahikeng scooped the first prize during the North West Provincial South African Youth Water Prize competitions on Friday.

The winning school was among eight high schools from the North West that participated in mathematics and physical science related youth competitions.

The annual competition was organised by Water and Sanitation department.

Media liaison director for the department, Sputnik Ratau said the aim of the competition was to encourage high school pupils to design scientific water conservation projects.

He said the competition was held in collaboration with Stockholm Water Foundation from Sweden and Science and Technology department.

“The competition’s objective is to promote the protection of the country’s natural resources. We also want to increase awareness amongst young people. Our department takes a lead in reaching out to the public through its 2020 vision. So our program targets learners.

“The program also advances the interest of the youth in science and technology. We also motivate them to pursue career in water and sanitation. Grade 9-11 learners were asked to identify challenges related to water in their schools and communities at large. They conducted research and came up with innovations recommended to solve the problems,” Ratau said.

He added that the program responded to the scarce skills challenges. Ratau also said it served as an incubator for the department’s learning academy.

“The department follows through with the learners who won the competition and also establishes partnerships with stakeholders for piloting these innovations. South Africa has won the Stockholm competition twice previously back in 2003 and 2005. Learners participated in yet another departmental program called Aqua Enduro throughout the country back in April this year.

“Twenty Grade 12 learners were awarded bursaries. They will be studying water related courses at various universities from next year. The department also handed over laptops and bursaries to two learners at Tsogo Secondary School in Bojanala Platinum municipality district after they participated in the South African Youth Water Prize competitions last- year,” he said.

-TDN

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