Gibela serious about its commitment to invest in education
DUNNOTTAR - Gibela gave life to its commitment to local socio-economic development this week when it launched its maths, science and English Saturday classes in communities neighbouring its Dunnottar manufacturing site, currently under construction.
“Gibela intends to use education and training as the cornerstone for socio-economic development whilst supporting the Government’s National Development Plan,” Gibela’s Economic Development Director, Dr Buyiswa Mncono-Liwani said.
Gibela, through a three-year partnership with Maths Centre and with the assistance of the Department of Basic Education, is assisting 450 learners from 17 schools in Nigel, Duduza and Kwa-Thema with maths, science and English classes on Saturdays. The classes are intended to provide extra support to learners in Grade 10, 11 and 12. There are 50 learners in each class, with one educator per class.
Gibela has committed to fully cover the cost of teaching aids for the educators and learning aids for the students at an estimated cost of R6.7 million over the three-year programme. The budget will be reviewed regularly and could be extended to other areas when Gibela’s national footprint expands.
This initiative forms part of Gibela’s community development commitments to assist learners in achieving excellent grades in maths and science and to increase their prospects for a tertiary education in pursuit of technical careers that the company recruits for.
Maths Centre, a non-profit organisation, has an impressive track-record in helping learners to improve their maths, science and technology marks. This, in turn, means learners are fully capacitated to prepare for concrete careers.
Representatives from the Department of Education, Maths Centre and Gibela spoke at this week’s launch and were united in their message to learners: “stay focused and be single-minded about your futures”.
The launch ended with a ‘Maps and Mirrors’ session where learners were addressed by Gibela professionals who provided insight on the scope of their professions and the qualifications that are required.
Pravin Chetty, who spoke on behalf of the District Director of Education, thanked Gibela for investing in the growth and development of the children in the area.
Gibela, a consortium formed by Alstom, Ubumbano Rail and New Africa Rail is executing PRASA’s rolling stock contract to build 580 new commuter trains at Dunnottar. Construction of the train manufacturing facility is forging ahead and most of the people working on site are residents of Ekurhuleni.
