Disadvantaged Durban school receives a R102 000 computer and infrastructure injection, courtesy of the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT)
For Immediate Release: 23 July 2018
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A R102 000 computer and infrastructure development injection is set to transform an under- resourced Durban primary school, opening the door to increased computer literacy and greater involvement in physical education amongst learners.
The development was the result of a timely intervention by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) which recently provided Parlock Primary School with 17 new desk-top computers and facilitated a major upgrade to its change-room facilities.
Commenting at the official hand-over of the information technology equipment and revamped change-room infrastructure, SAMCT Trustee, Mr Gaf Osman, said: “Computer literacy has become an exceptionally necessary skill for every learner in South Africa because we are an integral part of an increasingly digital society globally. Equally, our schools need appropriate infrastructure, creating for learners an environment conducive to both academic and sporting pursuits.”
He said the school’s new computer equipment would enable more learners to become computer literate, while it was hoped that the newly upgraded and very necessary ablution facilities would promote greater involvement in physical education by the school’s learners.
“The world is becoming more and more reliant on technology and if today’s learners are not rapidly brought up to speed, there is a very real threat that they will not be able to cope with the business landscape of tomorrow. The sad reality is, however, that many schools in South Africa have very limited or, worse, no access to information technology. This is a tragedy and demands a paradigm shift in promoting greater access to technology for educational purposes. This is now, I believe, an imperative for South Africa,” Mr Gaf Osman stressed.
He added that school infrastructure often fails to meet basic standards, putting both learners and teaching staff at a disadvantage.
Mr Gaf Osman said: “Broken or missing windows, cracked walls, decaying playing fields, under- resourced classrooms and classroom equipment, and woefully inadequate ablution facilities is the unfortunate order of the day at so many of our schools today. At a time in their lives when our young people should be learning by example, about the values which drive everyday life, how may they be expected to take pride in their surroundings, respect and safeguard property, take responsibility for the things around them and be accountable for the condition of school property, if such property and infrastructure is in such a parlous state.”
He believed that if learners were to become responsible, well-informed contributors to society in the years ahead, they would require an appropriate educational grounding. This would ensure their appreciation for a sound set of values, as well as a well-rounded education, including vital information technology skills.
Mr Gaf Osman said the SAMCT was pleased to have been in a position to contribute towards the cause, facilitating technology development at Parlock Primary School, through its provision of 17
additional computers, worth some R75 000, together with a major R27 000 revamp of existing change-room facilities.
“Enhancing the school’s current information technology environment will, we believe, assist in delivering a structured computer skills programme, inclusive of weekend classes, for the benefit of those unable to afford computers and those who have little or no knowledge of computers and the whole new world of information such technology has the capacity to deliver to young people,” Mr Gaf Osman maintained.
The SAMCT, established in 2008, provides funding, services and other resources for improving the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered significant assistance solutions throughout the country, irrespective of race or religion and works to support needy organisations in the fields of health, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
Mr Gaf Osman said the SAMCT’s computer and infrastructural improvement donation to Parlock Primary School would be of ‘very real and meaningful benefit to learners, both present and future.’
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For more information about SAMCT or its Parlock Primary School IT and Change-Room donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Co-ordinator Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za