Learners at a Chatsworth, Durban, secondary school who for years have had to contend with outdated and severely limited computer equipment in a congested facility to learn the IT skills which have become a vital part of every school’s curriculum, are today working on state-of-the-art equipment in an expanded environment.
The transformation of Newhaven Secondary School’s computer centre followed a recent R511 000 upgrade and enlargement project funded by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT), bringing to fruition the school’s full-service IT aspirations for the benefit of its 650 learners.
Commenting on the upgrade, SAMCT representative, Mr Gaff Oman, said: “In today’s digitally-driven world, coding and robotics education is regarded as an imperative, but without departmental funding, is a step too far for many financially-challenged schools. The fourth industrial revolution is upon us and the youth of our modern society must become competent in computer skills at an early age in order to be ready for the digitalisation advances of tomorrow.”
Newhaven Secondary School, established in 1982 and serving learners from the Croftdene and Silverglen areas, recognised the growing importance of IT many years ago, last renovating its computer facilities in 1988 and purchasing computer equipment in 2003. Technological advances and a growing school population have, however, overtaken the school’s ability to provide the space and equipment updates necessary for learners to derive the full benefits of IT education.
“In spite of the financial challenges the school faces, it has retained its vision of expanding the size of the computer centre and having additional computers in place to accommodate as many learners as possible. The curriculum offers coding and robotics as its newest subjects and Newhaven Secondary School, with a reputation for academic excellence, was determined to be positioned to meet the new curriculum requirements, regardless of lacking the financial leverage necessary.”
“Learning of the school’s plight and IT dream, the SAMCT stepped in with computer funding valued at R511 000 to help bring that dream to reality. The move is in keeping with the Government’s 2030 vision and now enables all the school’s learners the opportunity to develop in the field of technology, learning skills so vital to their future lives,” Mr Osman said.
Coding and Robotics is aimed at guiding and preparing learners to think critically, work collaboratively and creatively, function in a digital and information-driven world, apply digital and ICT skills and transfer such skills to solving the problems of the future.
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 for the improvement of the lives of the vulnerable, deprived and disadvantaged. It has been singularly successful in delivering sizable 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.
Mr Osman added: “Today, we rely on technology and will do more so in the future. We therefore owe it to our youth to ensure that they are fully able to take their place in a technology-driven world; a future world which will encompass school, home, business and leisure.”
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For more information about the SAMCT or its Newhaven Secondary School computer room upgrade
donation, please contact:
Rasheeda Motala
Social Responsibility Officer
Tel: 084 506 2280
Email: samct@samct.co.za