A media classroom handed over to Pula Madibogo Primary School in Mankweng by the Department of Water and Sanitation last Friday is predicted to give its learners an opportunity to advance their knowledge.
Social Development MEC Joyce Mashamba, on behalf of Pamela Tshwete, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation expressed the opinion that the classroom will be beneficial to both the school and the wider community.
The media classroom was the first prize in the traditional music category of the national Baswa Le Meetse (BLM) sub-programme under the Vision 2020 which the school won in Johannesburg in 2014.
The media classroom is equipped with 20 computer monitors and two personal computers as well as several accessories such as programmes, a printer, projector, connectivity comprising of two each routers, modems, data cards and a R1 000 Internet service subsidy for 24 months.
“We are immensely proud of our children who are certainly shaping their own future by being active participants in projects such as Baswa le Meetse and the 2020 vision for Water and Sanitation.
The innovative programmes as well as others aimed at emancipating the youth will succeed in creating informed, concerned and empowered children. They will, in turn, convey their knowledge to their communities. In this way, government is ensuring that our resources and precious environment is sustained and protected for future generations. Each and every citizen of South Africa has the responsibility to take charge of their own environment and ensure sustainability of our resources and especially water,” Mashamba is reported to have said.
Pula Madibogo Principal, Phuti Ragophala said the media classroom was one of the facilities they got from hard work. “No one can give away something like this, not even Government. These are the results of hard work. I thank our educators for their role. The commitment they showed towards the learners has been amazing. The new facility motivates us and pushes us to thrive for better things,” Ragophala said.
The 2020 Vision for Water and Education Programme (2020 VFWEEP)) is an initiative of the Department of Water and Sanitation. It started in 1996 with the aim of integrating water resources management into the school curriculum via three components – Baswa le Meetse (Youth in Water), School Curriculum Support and South African Youth Prize.
The main aim of the programme is to stimulate interest of the youth in water and sanitation, encourage them to pursue careers in water resource management, and revive arts and culture.
Story: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za