Seeing the plight of Sandisulwazi Secondary School pupils and teachers, the Eastern Cape Education Department has partnered with Nelson Mandela Metro University (NMMU) and South African Breweries (SAB) to improve the situation of the school in Paterson by making donations.
NMMU has involved the school in the Integrated School Development and Improvement Project implemented by the Centre for Education Research, Technology and Innovation (CERTI). The project provides training and support for language, mathematics and physical science teachers at the school and also trains and support school management in a variety of areas such as financial management and strategic planning.
Viv England from NMMU encouraged students to use the facilities available to them to their advantage.
“This is a lifetime opportunity and it is available to you to enhance your (students) knowledge,” said England referring to the Project.
Two-hundred and fifty thousand rands was donated by the SAB which was then used to renovating and equipping the computer laboratory with 12 ‘state of the art computers’ as well as a printer and a scanner. According to Vincent Maphai from SAB, the computer lab also has full access to the internet. “We have also installed an air conditioner in the computer lab and a laptop computer which will be used by the Principal,” said Maphai.
The donation has also made it possible to renovate and equip the science laboratory with modern trapezoid tables and chairs, a white board and a modern apparatus to be used for the teaching of Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences.
The Science Lab is also equipped with additional seven computers, a data projector and both laboratories are fitted with a burglar alarm linked to armed response services. Maphai urged students to take advantage of the equipment adding that they must use their strength in positive things that will benefit them in the future.
“Development is not about computers but about what you do with these computers, use them and most of all look after them,” advised Maphai.
Education MEC Mandla Makupula thanked the sponsors on behalf of the school and urged parents to assist students in their studies and to share the facilities with other students from not so privileged schools.
“Share what you have with others who have little than you and make the best of what is at your disposal. Keep these computers safe not only for you (students) but for the next generation,” concluded Makupula ending the event with an unveiling of a plaque.
