19 Nov 2019

 Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education, Mr Acronews Maseko has commended Orange Foundation for bridging the digital divide in schools.

Speaking during Ntlhantlhe Primary School digital tour by Orange Foundation and Ministry of Basic Education officials on November 18, he said the move was a step in the right direction as the world was living in the fourth industrial revolution that would profoundly transform institutions, industries and individuals.

He said the world stood on the brink of a technological revolution that would fundamentally alter the way people live, work, and relate to one another, thus he cherished Orange Foundation for having identified a need in which the ministry fell short of bridging the digital gap in schools.

Orange Foundation has started  a programme in which they donate tablets, servers and provide internet services to schools across the country so as to bridge the digital divide with a view to improve performance in schools.

Orange Botswana, through the Orange Foundation, donated 50 tablets and servers last year November to Ntlhantlhe Primary School; therefore the foundation’s tour was to make an assessment with regard to the programme’s impact on the pupils’ lives to determine whether they should continue with the programme or not.

Mr Maseko said, “This century is a dot-com one that needs a digitised learning process to heighten performance in schools, with the world going digital, it is only right that learners are not left behind”.

He said the ministry acknowledged the noble gesture and assured Orange Group of their continued support, saying they would support the roll-out of the programe.

Mr Maseko said that for Botswana to have a competitive workforce, it should to go digital.

Orange Foundation’s head of Africa Corporate Philanthropy Mr Issartelle Ludovic said digital education development was good for the country as it was capable of changing the economic landscape.

Mr Ludovic said rolling-out such services to far-flung places gave learners equal opportunities to access and explore the world through the internet with those who were closer to amenities.

Ntlhantlhe Primary School head, Ms Bonny Obotsang expressed gratitude for the programme, noting the 50 tablets and servers donated to the school last year November were of great help to the teachers and pupils.

She said the school was an average-performing one, but after the receipt of the gadgets performance was now soaring.

She shared that digital education development made pupils to be technologically compliant such that some could identify a career path in technology.

Ms Obotsang said digital education was relevant to the learners and challenged them to think outside the box and improve their thinking capability.

On the other hand, she urged technology challenged teachers to work hard to ensure better results attainment. Ends