Gordon primary leads on ICT
ALEXANDRA - Gordon Primary School may soon join other more privileged schools in implementing the Gauteng department of education's decision to promote e-learning in all schools.
GORDON Primary School may soon join other more privileged schools in implementing the Gauteng Department of Education’s decision to promote e-learning in all schools.
This was made apparent at the handover of a donation of R150 000 from Anglo American for the purchase of computer equipment for the school’s computer resources centre. The donation was received by the MEC for Basic Education, Panyaza Lesufi in the presence of pupils, staff and school governing body members, district officials and representatives of Anglo American.
The partnership, which is for three years, started in 2013 with an initial donation of R250 000, and will continue next year with an additional donation of another R150 000 – all for computer equipment, other teaching aids and connectivity.
Lesufi said the partnership was a timely contribution to the department’s plans of integrating children in marginalised social settings into the global knowledge-based economy, which is technology driven.
“This will help us to ensure poor children do not lag behind current advances in education which are leaning towards paperless schools. We have to target the younger ones at primary level to prepare them, as they will be most impacted by this evolving change in the education process,” he said.
Lesufi added that the donation would change the old teaching method of chalk and board, and this would require improving the capacity of teachers in information technology and communication skills, and also by adjusting the structuring of the curriculum to enable more interactive delivery of lessons.
“The programme will be installed in phases and include ICT connectivity, conversion of curriculum into a digital format, training of educators, provision of other related gadgets, and the establishment of school-based support services,” he said
Lesufi added that the department was working on a security plan with the Department of Community Safety to improve security of the equipment and school facilities.
Bheki Khumalo of Anglo American said it was part of the company’s social responsibility to partner with government’s development initiatives; while transformation programmes for education was a priority for the company, especially regarding disadvantaged children.
“The destiny of these children should not be determined by their birth but by the support they receive through education,” he concluded.
