Lesson and administrative disruptions due to load shedding and power outages are a thing of the past for an Athlone, Cape Town, primary school, thanks to the donation by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) of a fully kited inverter system.
Habibia Primary School, with a learner population of more than 1 000, currently offers classes from Grade One to Grade Seven.
The SAMCT’s donation, which totalled R1 013 241, also included a major upgrade to the school’s science and technology laboratory, geared to instilling a greater level of interest in the sciences and technology.
Commenting on its inverter and laboratory upgrade assistance, SAMCT representative, Mr Faried Boltman, said: “South Africa’s power instability problem and resultant short-notice implementation of loadshedding causes major disruptions for society, not least in education, where the learning process is constantly being interrupted, thus compromising efficiencies and the overall smooth and timely functioning of schools.”
“Minimising the risk of lesson and administrative disruption has become a priority for Habibia Primary School, together with the urgent need to upgrade its science and technology facility. The school recognises the huge importance attached to both the sciences and technology in education today and is committed to championing its promotion through significantly upgraded facilities.”
“This is a school dedicated to doing its best for its learners, ensuring their uninterrupted educational growth and development. The school’s commitment to upgrading infrastructure for the benefit of its learners is to be applauded. Accordingly, and learning of the school’s desire to ensuring greater and improved overall lesson efficiency, the SAMCT was pleased to assist with both its identified needs.”
“We installed an inverter system designed to counter the effects of loadshedding and a major lab upgrade, affording the school’s learners a significantly improved offering through the provision of relevant equipment and better use of space, so engendering a greater interest in the sciences,” Mr Boltman said.
The science and technology laboratory upgrade saw the addition of both learner and teacher workstations, a range of new science equipment, a smart board, data projector and a hover cam document camera, as well as air-conditioning, furniture, storage, blinds and beefed-up security.
Mr Boltman added: “The effective teaching of science and technology is crucial for fostering critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation. It assists greatly in preparing learners for an outside world increasingly shaped by the sciences and technological advancements, better equipping them to be able to navigate future complex challenges.”
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. The organisation provides funding, services and other resources to improve the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has successfully delivered sizeable assistance solutions throughout South Africa – irrespective of race or religion – and continues to work to support needy organisations in the fields of healthcare, social development, poverty alleviation and education.
Pleasingly, the acquisition of a full inverter system will prevent any future unnecessary disruptions to classes and the process of learning. Equally, and given that we live in a world which is increasingly being shaped by science and technology, primary schools – such as this – play a pivotal role in promoting and fostering an environment conducive to the conducting of experiments. The advent of a more adequately provisioned science and technology laboratory at Habibia Primary School is set now to positively transform the school’s teaching regime, Mr Boltman concluded.
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For more information about the SAMCT or its Habiba Primary School inverter and lab upgrade donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za
www.samct.co.za