Solar internet access for rural school

Pupils of Siyavikelwa Senior Primary School in Sundumbili, Mandeni, were filled with joy as Samsung and Hesto sponsored their school with a 12 metre solar powered internet container on Friday, August 28.

The shipping container is filled with 25 Samsung tablets, a whiteboard and Samsung smart school solution programme that will help the teacher to monitor the pupils when they are using the tablets.

It is the second solar power computer lab donated by these organisations in the Ilembe region. The first was donated to Zilungisele Primary School in Groutville in May last year.

Representing Hesto advocate Sbu Ngcobo said as much as they are prepared to help schools in rural areas, there is a serious problem of school vandalism.

“One of the schools we have visited, the principle said he would not bother contesting for the lab because it would be vandalised,” said Ngcobo.

He said as private companies they were disappointed that KZN minister of education Peggy Nkonyeni did not attend, even though she was invited.

She was going to present ideas on how to improve the standard of education in the province.

Deputy principal Vivin Mkhwanazi said they are grateful for their resource at the school and it will make their work as teachers much easier.

“Whenever our pupils need to get information from the internet, they used to leave the school early so that they can go to the library. But with this computer lab they can do everything they need to within the school premises,” said Mkhwanazi.

The lab will also be open to the community after school hours and on weekends as it is not for school pupils only.