A severely under-resourced Phoenix, Durban, secondary school’s dream of integrating technology
into the classroom has become a reality with a donation of three interactive whiteboards and airconditioning, collectively valued at R285 000, by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT).


Speaking at the recent hand-over of the new educational tools to Crystal Point Secondary School,
SAMCT representative, Mr Farouk Bayat, said: “It is no longer possible to rely solely on traditional
methods of teaching and is becoming imperative that technology be integrated into the classroom.
Crystal Point Secondary recognised this, regarding teaching with technology as the way forward in
making both teaching and learning more effective.”


“The Principal and staff here knew full well that lessons could be appreciably enhanced, but equally
recognised that turning the dream into reality was a financial step too far for this under-resourced
educational institution. Not any more… the dream has been realised.”


He stressed that SAMCT believed that South Africa’s should be afforded every opportunity to excel
at school and that schools should be equipped with the necessary tools to enable learners to benefit
from the best possible education.


“We live in a technology-driven world and it is critical that South Africa’s learners be exposed to all
that technology has to offer in our schools. Simply put, the possibilities that open up when
technology is introduced into classrooms are endless. Interactive whiteboards are the answer for
schools in this country, but they come at a price few can afford,” said Mr Bayat
Many South African schools are severely under-resourced and serve vast numbers of historically
disadvantaged children.


He added: “The reality is that Government cannot keep pace with growing public school equipment
needs and, as a consequence, the large-scale use of technology as a crucial educational tool appears
to be an unachievable pipe-dream. Equipping schools for a technological future is simply out of the
question. Disadvantaged learners really deserve the jumpstart technology can bring to fast-tracking
their education and development.”


Learners here are desperate for access to technology and an education which opens to them new
horizons.


“If we are going to afford the youth of today the best chance at an education which will make them
globally competitive in the outside world of tomorrow, it is vital that technology in education be
embraced. Hearing about the school’s intent and financial constraint, we were pleased to assist,
providing the school with three interactive whiteboards and air-conditioning units, enabling a new
level of educational innovation here,” said Mr Bayat.


The SAMCT was created in 2008, the result of a partnership between Old Mutual Unit Trusts and Al
Baraka Bank, for the creation, marketing and distribution of a suite of Shariah Funds.
This has ensured that the South African Muslim Charitable Trust is the beneficiary of this Shariah
suite of funds, enabling it to provide funding, services and other resources for the improvement of
the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has been singularly successful in
delivering sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion –
and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of social development, poverty
alleviation, healthcare and education.


“The utilisation of interactive whiteboards enables teachers to better connect with their learners,
relieving youngsters of the monotony of standard lessons. It is possible to connect to the Internet
and project images on virtually any topic, whilst integrating a range of learning styles into a single
experience. Children are able to learn by seeing, hearing and touch, providing a massive benefit to
learners. This is the way to really bring creativity to lessons. Whether photographs, maps, graphs or
video material, whiteboards provide teachers with a multitude of options,” Mr Bayat indicated.
He said that teaching was a ‘most challenging, though hugely rewarding’ vocation, and having the
most appropriate tools makes a huge difference.


“It is widely acknowledged that with the introduction of interactive whiteboard, learners become
more attentive, comprehension improves and literacy improves. With improved engagement in the
classroom, comes increased levels of learning and we, of the South African Muslim Charitable Trust,
are therefore that we have been able to play a small role in equipping three of Crystal Point
Secondary School’s classrooms for success,” he concluded.

For more information about SAMCT or its Crystal Point Secondary School interactive whiteboard and
air-conditioning donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za