Local schools empowered with multi-media centres

The National Department of Social Development, the Department of Education in partnership with MTN SA Foundation donated six multi media centres to local schools, including a special needs centre to Grace and Hope LSEN School last Friday.
The other recipients are Alf Makaleng Primary, Luthuli Park Primary School, Dr A.M.S. Makunyane Secondary School, Masedibu High School in Seshego, as well as Mayeke Higher Primary School in Malumulele.
Kusile Mtunzi-Hairwadzi, General Manager of MTN SA Foundation explained that their R2,4 million investment was part of the foundation’s ongoing schools connectivity programme that aims to provide Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools and Internet connectivity to previously disadvantaged communities.
“The special needs media centre unveiled today is different from the other schools. The centre was specifically designed and fitted with special hardware and software equipment to cater for learners with disabilities,” added Mtunzi-Hairwadzi at the handover at Grace and Hope.
Deputy Minister of Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu said the computer laboratory will help improve and the way educational programmes are delivered to the disabled learners.
“Grace and Hope LSEN School’s vision is to educate intellectually impaired learners to become skilled future leaders in society and offers programmes including Creative Arts, Fashion Design as well as Interior Decor and Design lessons. The laboratory forms part of actions to actualise the White Paper on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as approved by Cabinet last year.”
Grace and Hope Principal Mabore Ngoatje said they were pleased to finally have a computer centre which will enable learners to sharpen their computer skills and also make learning easier. “We want to thank MTN and both departments for choosing us. We consider ourselves blessed and we are looking forward to make good use of the computers,” Ngoatje said.
Education,MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe urged the heads and students of other schools who are beneficiaries of the centres to look after them.
“You must appreciate what you have because others don’t have that. All of you have an obligation to ensure that the centres are functioning all the time,” Kgetjepe said.

Featured Photo: Herbert Rachuene – Godfree Maulana, Manager Compliance at the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Graham de Vries, Executive Corporate Services at MTN, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu, Deputy Minister Social Development,  Mabore Ngoatje, Principal of Grace and Hope LSEN School and Angie Maloke, Senior Manager MTN South African Foundation watches MEC for Education Ishmael Kgetjepe showcasing some of his computer skills on one of the computers at the Multi Media Centre donated to Grace and Hope LSEN School.

Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za