The South African Education Ministry has partnered with Hewlett-Packard (HP) and BMW to provide Computer Aided Technology (CAT) programmes in eight schools, aiming to ensure that participants are encouraged and prepared to take up ICT-related studies in later education.
Eight schools in Soshanguve and Garankuwa are set to benefit from the scheme, which was launched by the Deputy Minister of Basic Education Enver Surty on Monday.
As well as properly preparing participants for future ICT studies, the programme also aims to build capacity amongst the schools’ teachers, with the Humanities and Information Communication Technology faculties from the Tshwane University of Technology providing focused training and capacity building at the schools.
Speaking at the launch, Deputy Minister Surty reminded guests that the education landscape in South Africa faces huge disparities, with poor schools often being overlooked.
“The sites chosen to take part in this programme show the commitment of the partners to changing the system. We are all confident that this programme has the potential to contribute to increasing the pass rate as well as raising awareness of ICT-related courses that can be pursued by these learners,” he said. “Today we are celebrating possibility.”
“BMW is committed to contributing to the long-term sustainable development of Southern Africa as a whole. By giving communities the tools required to promote long-term development, we are ensuring that this investment is felt for decades to come. Well educated and well trained people are one of the key success factors for the overall upliftment of South Africa, which is why this programme – like so many of our other CSR initiatives – focuses on developing these scarce skills amongst school leavers,” said Guy Kilfoil of BMW South Africa.
“Through projects such as this we are equipping learners with the skills needed to participate in the modern world and providing them an opportunity to attain critical skills that will give them a competitive edge when entering the workplace,” Surty concluded.
HP provided a highly sophisticated, yet suitable system technology, while Datacentrix assisted with the installation of all equipment and refurbishment of the computer centres.
The eight schools who will be benefitting from this programme are: Soshanguve High School, LG Holele High School, Makhosini High School, Wallmansthal High School, Kgadime Matsepe High School, Central Secondary High School, Lethabong Secondary School and Malatse Motsepe High School.
