MEC Mshengu to launch a high-tech computer centre in Siqongweni High School
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Mr Kwazi Mshengu, will on Thursday, 08 August 2018, officially launch a high-tech computer centre in one of the best performing schools in the province, Siqongweni High School, in Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg.
The provision of the computer centre, which is donated by Aberdare Cables, was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his visit to the school in January this year. Siqongweni High School is one of the highest performing schools in the country with an 84% matric pass rate.
The computer centre is fully equipped with modern computer systems and internet connection.
MEC Mshengu said as the modern world evolves and becomes sophisticated due to rapid technological changes, institutions of learning in South Africa need to adapt and acclimatize themselves with the new digital education system which has been embraced by many countries all over the world.
“We strongly believe that the computer centre facility which will be launching in Siqongweni High School will serve this purpose as we aim to advance and revolutionize our basic education in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The launch of this facility is in line with one of our strategic objectives which is to rigorously develop our leaners’ technological skills to ensure that they compete with the best in the world.
We are prepared to work very closely with the private sector and our social partners to improve our education system, particularly in the areas of technology, mathematics and science, to prepare our youth for the fourth industrial revolution,” said MEC Mshengu.
The donation of the computer is part of the Aberdare’s socio-economic development programme AberSchool Project, which was launched in 2017 in Pietermaritzburg to assist in addressing the low mathematics, physics and science subject pass rate in the country as well as to encourage pupils to take on these subjects. Siqongweni is one of the beneficiaries of this project.
Aberdare CEO, Dr Haiyan Song said the donation of the centre forms part of the company’s socio-economic development programme which aims to assist township and rural youth to improve their performances in key subjects and to acquire basic technological skills against the background of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“The world is swiftly moving towards the full Fourth Industrial Revolution, therefore it is our conviction as Aberdare that the youth in townships and rural areas need to be equipped with necessary technological skills to be relevant in this new technological era and to ensure that they are not left behind in the era of internet of things.
It was this realization that propelled us to launch the AberSchool Project. As part of this initiative, we donated eLearning Tablets to schools in Pietermaritzburg including Siqongweni Secondary School in August 2018. The project has thus contributed significantly in the excellent performance of the participating schools including Siqongweni,” said Dr Song.
The event will take place as follows:
Date: Thursday, 08 August 2018
Time: 09h30
Venue: Siqongweni High School, Imbali Township, Pietermaritzburg
Media enquiries:
Kwazi Mthethwa
Cell: 078 264 6165
Proffesor Ndawonde
Cell: 076 104 7415
E-mail: proffesor.ndawonde@aberdare.co.za
