06 Mar 2013

Adopt-A-School initiative has saved government P160 million since its inception in 2011.

Speaking at the official launch of the computer lab at Lesirane Primary School in Mogoditshane,  the Assistant Minister of Education and Skills Development, Mr Patrick Masimolole said the computer laboratory donated by Cloudseed Company, was a crucial resource of teaching and learning in today’s world of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). 

Minister Masimolole explained that the relationship the school has made with Cloudseed Company gave the company an opportunity to understand the school’s system of strengthening and improving its program and curricular.

“My ministry advocates for a system of quality education that is able to adapt to the changing needs of Batswana. I am very happy that Cloudseed shares this vision with us and saw it fit to invest in one of our schools to try and drive our mandate of providing all schools with computers and computer based communications such as internet services,” Mr Masimolole said.

Mr Masimolole said the company has not only equipped the students with ICT knowledge, but also given them a chance to experience and create an interesting platform for learning. Thus he said learning would forever be interesting and enjoyable for Lesirane teachers and pupils.

He said the challenge now was to ensure that the students access the facility all.

Education Hub representative, Mr Billy Loeto observed that while the ministry was currently facing numerous challenges, so was the achievement gap. He therefore appealed to the residents to close the gap by providing facilities, human resource, and materials or by promoting the culture of partnership with schools.

The initiative that was launched in November 2011 by MoESD Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, called for internationalisation of education through partnerships of the community, individuals and private institutions with the ministry of education for the sole purpose of achieving the mandate of quality education in the country.

Mr Loeto explained that so far a number of companies have extended a helping hand sighting one company that has decided to construct libraries and computer laboratories for schools as part of their social responsibility.

Cloudseed Company has donated 25 computer work stations in a classroom availed by Kweneng District Council and installed it with a satellite connection, 30 Wyse Clients, 25 LCD screens, sound splitters, Wyse brackets, one teacher’s desk  among others.

Additional installation for the laboratory includes all the electric reticulation in the lab, palisade fence around the satellite, air conditioning in the lab and free internet services for a period of 12 months. Students will lock-in with their own user names and email addresses.  The equipment is estimated at P243 000.

For his part, Cloudseed chairperson, Mr Tebogo Mogashoa said it was a proud moment to be associated with the contribution and hailed the sterling cooperation they received from the ministry.

He emphasised the importance of the two organisations in ensuring participation of learners in knowledge based world. He noted that their contribution would go a long way through the use of technology and becoming part of the global village.

Cloudseed Company is a fully fledged 50/50 joint-venture in information communication technology.  The  company was established for the purpose of giving effect to the Gauteng Online Program by means of providing 2 200 schools in Gauteng with internet connectivity.  In Botswana they have pledged to take care of the internet services and built a fully equipped laboratory to promote ICTs in Lesirane Primary School. ENDS