Free State department of education MEC, Tate Makgoe has launched the state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology (ICT) lab during Heritage Day celebrations held at Kgotsofalo Farm School in Tierpoort.
The elated learners at the school could not hide their excitement at the fiddled and experimented with the new computers for the very first time in their lives on Tuesday. The department has partnered with computer giant, Microsoft, to donate the computers to the school.
Kgotsofalo received 30 computers; four of which will be used for administrative purposes. The other 26 computers have been installed with grade R to grade 8 educational programmes which will help the learners with subjects ranging from languages to more challenging subjects such as mathematics.
During the opening of the ICT lab at the school, Makgoe said the department hopes the technology will help learners improve their subject knowledge and improve their IT skills. He thanked Microsoft for partnering with the department to donate computers to the farms school.
Makgoe said the purpose of the ICT labs is to teach information technology skills to young learners in primary and secondary schools and to improve the provision of education through ICT applications and the use of the internet.
“The computers that we have installed in the school are for learners and teachers shouldn’t refuse them access. The parents should always make sure that the computers are always safe at the school because their kids’ future depends on them, they might not understand the power of the computers now but they will when their children have learnt how to use these computers.
“The school is fortunate because it got a life-time opportunity ahead of other township schools which desperately need the ICT labs but they cannot have them due to budgetary constraints. My wish is that all schools in the province must have the computer lab because it makes the learner’s life a lot easier,” said Makgoe.
Makgoe said the department has provided 68 IC labs to various schools in the province since 2011, trained more than 6500 teachers and provided affordable computer access to thousands of learners.
Microsoft public sector country director, Kabelo Makwane said the partnership between the department and Microsofthas invested R700 000 into the ICT labs project. He said the donation of the ICT labs was a critical part of the company’s social responsibility programme.
“More learners throughout the country have been given skills for a bright future and as the company we are proud that we are contributing to the good quality teaching and learning in our township schools. Not everybody can get such an opportunity and if parents support their kids then they will go far.”
The principal of the school, Malesela Lekoenela said the school was grateful for the support provided by the department and the MEC. He said last year the school received a hostel to accommodate children travelling long distances. He praised Makgoe for delivering on his promise to donate the ICT lab to the school.
First time computer user and Grade 8 learners, Zamile Matthews (16), said he grew up without a computer at home and is thankful to the department of education for giving him the opportunity to use a computer.
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