A delighted audience of pupils and teachers listened attentively at the Albany Museum careers day yesterday, 30 October.
A delighted audience of pupils and teachers listened attentively at the Albany Museum careers day yesterday, 30 October.
Speakers from different departments implored the pupils, in grades 9-12 at various Grahamstown schools, to take to heart the importance of acquiring a quality education.
Education officer at Amathole Museum Mark Mandita spoke about the importance of respecting teachers.
"No nation will prosper if it doesn't take education seriously," Mandita said.
The career day started on a high note as learners from Ntaba Maria senior secondary school recited a poem, titled, 'I am an African child'.
Albany Museum spokesperson Manzi Vabaza welcomed the pupils, saying, "When young people claim their identity as elders we become proud of them, because we would like to preserve who we are." Vabaza himself recited his clan names, accompanied by ululations from the audience.
"A museum is not just a tourist destination but a centre of knowledge," Vabaza said. The career day sought to inform pupils about careers in anthropology, history, biological sciences and botany.
Dr Helen Barber-James is a freshwater biologist in the museum's department of freshwater invertebrates. Her section houses a collection of over 1.5 million specimens, including limited material from other African countries.
She has more than 25 years of research experience, focusing in particular on the biodiversity, systematics and biogeography of freshwater invertebrates.
Her specialisation is ephemeroptera (mayflies). Barber-James spoke at the event about how skilled young people are required in this field.
Education senior specialist Mbuyiseli Sandi applauded the initiative, saying it was important that pupils know where they are going in life. He encouraged the pupils to consider teaching as a career.
"We have the Fundza Lushaka bursary that we give to learners after completing Grade 12," he said.
"You should not shy away from teaching as a career. It is a career that forms people's destinies," Sandi said.
