Soshanguve - Ntsha-Peu Primary School learners were gifted an e-learning facility, accessories and iPads for modern technology-led methods of learning and teaching.
The Soshanguve school was all smiles and joy yesterday when pioneer of e-learning, ITSI and partners, Jacaranda FM, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) and iSchools Africa donated 20 tablets to be used by the pupils.
The sponsors donated a mobile lab that could fit into all classrooms to be shared and used by all the learners at different periods.
The laptop was provided by ITSI - a popular e-learning provider which enhanced and simplified the teaching and learning experiences of both teachers and learners. The company also provided ICT and an integrated IT curriculum to both private and public schools in all nine provinces in South Africa.
ITSI chief executive Lieb Liebenberg said iSchools Africa and Jacaranda FM began the outreach programme which made the donation possible towards the end of 2017, in an effort to bring digital technologies to disadvantaged communities.
The school also received headphones, software, covers, charging stations and other educational accessories to complement the iPads and the laptops.
The learners moved the crowd when they danced to xiTsonga music wearing Xibelani costumes. Video: James Mahlokwane
Liebenberg said: “We are delighted to be part of this initiative. Only through joint efforts can we make a difference in the lives of young children. Our e-reader application enables access to a variety of e-books for both the curriculum prescribed books, as well as additional digital educational content.
“Children at Ntsha-Peu Primary School will be able to enjoy the great iPad learning apps and be able to engage with the content in the e-books by creating their own notes, freehand drawings, highlighting important text and generating summaries. That will make studying on a variety of platforms both easy and efficient,”
School Principal Nic Els said, “Only grave diggers start at the top to reach their goals. We as educators who want to change education and move with the times have to start at the foundation and in this case that’s the foundation phase. We have to start changing teaching and learning at this phase so that the children don’t go to high school and tertiary and find themselves playing catch-up all the time,”
Els said he was retiring in April but had a vision to see the school using technology to improve the way teaching and learning was done. He said he would be proud to see the school achieve a 100% pass rate in all grades.
After the donation, the learners showcased their gratitude by dancing and showcasing some of their talents to the sponsors. The pupils moved the crowd when they danced to xiTsonga music wearing Xibelani costumes.