Galway Primary School Connect project wins big
“This accolade is a resounding testament to the transformative power of the public-private partnership we embarked upon six years ago, profoundly enriching both the educational landscape and the communities it serves.”
The Galway Connect project was acknowledged by the Department of Education with the service excellence award at the Emerald Business and Social Partners awards ceremony.
Developing research suggests introducing public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the education sector significantly improves the quality of education.
The hypothesis in this school of thought is that, through resource sharing, private entities can contribute to community development.
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Private entities can, therefore, transfer knowledge according to their areas of core competency – ranging from finance and management to legal expertise – so that the quality of education is amplified at the school.
It is against the backdrop of this research that Macsteel partnered with Galway Primary School in Dilville, Germiston, and launched the Galway Connect project in 2018.
Today, Galway Connect is one of several education projects supported by Macsteel, but certainly the most successful. And now award-winning.
“This accolade is a resounding testament to the transformative power of the public-private partnership we embarked upon six years ago, profoundly enriching the educational landscape and the communities it serves,” said Mike Benfield, the CEO of Macsteel.
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“By promoting active participation and collaboration within the community, Galway Connect aims to establish sustainable support structures for all learners at the school. A steering committee, comprised of various stakeholders in and around the school, was created to facilitate the project’s processes,” said Benfield.
”Their shared vision is to ensure each learner at Galway Primary School receives an invaluable education through Galway Connect’s collaborative communal effort,” said Benfield.
The project comprises Macsteel’s support to the school in areas such as infrastructure, safety and security, learner affairs, learner/teacher support/ IT and assessments, finance/fundraising/ communications and marketing, and human resources.
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The basic aims are to provide support and skills development to educators, create opportunities for connection between the school’s stakeholders and ensure that the basic needs of learners are met.
Koos Pretorius, the principal of Galway Primary, congratulated Macsteel and their project management partner, People Dynamics.
“Your unwavering support has not only enhanced the educational experience but also uplifted the entire Galway Primary School community,” said Pretorius.
