07 Jul 2014

Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education Skills and Development (MoESD), Mr Richard Matlhare has urged Gabane Primary School teachers to take advantage of the computer laboratory handed to the school.

Speaking at official handover ceremony of the upgraded computer laboratory by Continuity South Africa (CSA) at the school on Friday July 4, Mr Matlhare encouraged teachers to invest in their personal growth and enroll for stimulant courses online.

He said it is upon teachers to upgrade their qualifications through the hi-tech facilities provided to the school, saying government alone cannot afford to sponsor them for higher qualifications.

 He said education fraternity is faced with challenges such as lack of capital, limited resources and maintenance facilities.

Mr Matlhare who was speaking on behalf of the Acting Minister in the ministry, Mr Mokgweetsi Masisi commended the CSA company for funding the upgrading of the computer lab and the infrastructure in it as part of its corporate social investment project.

“As part of its corporate social responsibility CSA completed a similar project at Palapye Central primary school earlier this year,” added Mr Matlhare.
 He said it is pleasing to note that CSA is supporting government initiatives.

For his part, the director of CSA, Mr Jacob Mothupi said his company was motivated to develop a computer lab at Gabane primary school as a way of advancing learning environment in public schools.

He said Gabane primary head, Ms Ebbie Kenosi asked them for a similar project after she learnt that the company had done the same project at Palapye Central primary school recently.

 He added that such projects are aimed at pioneering a better and advanced technology driven learning environment. “We are trying by all means to help government because we have realised that there has been decline in academic results lately,” he said.

Mr Mothupi pleaded with Gabane residents who have done computer courses to volunteer and help the school as voluntary teachers.

The school head, Ms Kenosi said the donation will assist in equipping the students with literacy skills like typing, using the internet for research, emailing for global communication while other students would do graphic design among others.

Further, she said the computers will help improve academic performance of the school which has been ranging between 59 and 80 per cent since 2010 to 2013.

CSA donated 11 computers, 50 typing chairs, 10 desks as well as refurbishing the laboratory connected it to the internet. ENDS