Rural education connects digitally
Learning will never be the same again for thousands of learners from Ximhungwe Circuit, following a recent launch of IT resources for them, courtesy of Singita and the European Space Agency.
BUSHBUCKRIDGE -A launch was held at Babati Primary School, a day after the school’s Youth Month celebration. The school received tablets, laptops, satellite dishes, a server plus cabinet, router, a projector with screen, audio speakers and microphones, free connectivity to the Internet for one year and a learning platform with educational content that will make it easy and exciting to provide quality
education.
According to the European Space Agency’s head of integration and
telecommunications, Prof Amnon Ginati, Bongani Sam Fakudze supporting education of young people, specially in rural communities, is to invest in the mind of the economy. “Young people in our communities should be connected to the 21st century. We want to shape the development of the world’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Africa and the world.”
He explained that the programme was designed to find out more about earth and technology, its immediate space environment, solar system and the universe, as well as develop satellites based on technologies and service. Moreover, it wanted to engage in African schools, teach them and give them access to technological facilities related to content of education.
The event was also attended by the MEC for education, Ms Regina Mhaule who expressed her delight as follows: “Indeed digital devices are becoming part of us and it is now a reality that Babati Primary School with its small rural village is connected to the rest of the world.”
She added that the department subscribed to the National Development Plan’s requirements for an ICT capable society, especially the importance of building ICT during school years and conducting teaching and learning through ICT. “As a department, we thank Singita for addressing the plight of our poor rural communities and transforming their education with the provision of information
technology resources and Internet connectivity via satellite to 12 primary schools in the Ximhungwe circuit, with the intention of enhancing the quality of teaching in these schools,” said Mhaule.
The province has established a mathematics, science and technology
academy (MSTA) that connects 101 schools through an ICT hub located in the Emalahleni Local Municipality. The academy also seeks to advance the delivery of quality mathematics, science and technology education in the linked schools. The MST academy also facilitates and directs research on teacher development programmes and strategies required for quality education in these fields.
