Thembisa school embraces SA-born ed-tech solution
Each learner received a personalised device pre-loaded with mobile data, curriculum-aligned content, educational apps and learning platforms.
A Thembisa-based primary school has become the first in the country to embrace the e-learning platform specifically developed for learners in South Africa by ed-tech business, Odin Education.
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Coinciding with Youth Month celebrations, the full Grade Five cohort of Phuthumani Primary School received their new Omang e-learning devices that were sponsored by Sage Foundation in partnership with the Attacq Foundation.
This sponsorship represents a three-year commitment to equipping 196 learners with the digital learning tools they need to progress successfully through to Grade Seven.
It forms part of a holistic programme of support for the school, which has already included building three new classrooms and the donation of 125 pairs of school shoes and uniforms.
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The renovation of 10 classrooms is underway, with a measurement and evaluation project also implemented to track the overall impact on the school and surrounding community.
According to Phuthumani Primary deputy principal Thando Mbelwa, most of the school’s 1 400 learners hail from poverty-stricken families and rely on the national school nutrition programme for one nutritious daily meal.
“I am passionate about using information and communications technology to enhance education. Technology plays a big role in teaching and we are far behind,” said Mbelwa.
He said both learners and teachers were excited to receive their devices as the system would allow teachers to share essential resources like educational videos and learners to do more of their own research.
Each learner received a personalised device pre-loaded with mobile data, curriculum-aligned content, educational apps and learning platforms.
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Over time, the underlying Odin Education ecosystem will gather data from each user’s interactions with their device and serve them more of the academic and extramural content in which they are interested.
The Omang devices are locked for educational purposes only. They do not provide access to any public social media platforms, making them safe for younger learners.
According to Attacq Foundation transformation manager Danny Vermeulen, the foundation had concluded a three-year “adoption agreement” to provide Phuthumani Primary School with the resources needed to meet its educational objectives and remain a place of hope and learning in the community.
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