The Eastern Cape will be home to the first high school offering aviation training in South Africa.
The province has unveiled plans for an aviation school at 43 Air School in Port Alfred. The initiative marks a milestone in the province’s education sector.
Fullview reports that the Eastern Cape Aviation School will be South Africa’s first public high school offering aviation studies.
However, South Africa will not be the first country in Africa to offer aviation studies at high school.
Countries such as Kenya and Ethiopia high schools are already preparing high school students for futures in the aviation sector.
HIGH SCHOOL AVIATION TRAINING SOUTH AFRICA
Eastern Cape provincial spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie described the aviation school as an achievement in implementing the three-stream model, which seeks to diversify educational opportunities in South Africa.
The transformative initiative is made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDoE) and 43 Air School.
It includes the introduction of aero-maritime studies at Port Alfred High School (PAHS).
This will establish a high school for Aerospace Science focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
“The programme reflects the provincial government’s commitment to curriculum diversity, equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies essential for South Africa’s economic growth,” provincial spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said.
AVIATION STUDIES
Initially, the programme will accommodate Grade 10 students selected from various districts in the Eastern Cape.
It focuses on preparing future leaders for occupational fields such as aviation and engineering.
The province thus intends to address gaps in the curriculum, particularly the absence of aviation-focused education.
The project will also focus on integrating pupils from underprivileged backgrounds.
43 AIR SCHOOL
Attie Niemann, Chairperson for 43 Air School highlighted the school’s global reputation.
“We train airline pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers, hosting students from over 50 nationalities. We are the preferred supplier for national airlines like Indigo in India and Vietnam Airlines, as well as for military pilot training. Currently, we have 350 students,” Niemann said.
