DST Director Nelvis Qekema during the handover ceremony.
While schools in the country are winding up the 2016 academic year and looking forward to a much deserved break, teaching staff at the Tshwane Secondary School in Pretoria are excitedly looking forward to the 2017 academic year.
The school took delivery today (24 November) of e-learning resources donated by the Department of Science and Technology. The Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor visited the school in July this year as part of the Department’s Mandela Day celebrations. During that event Minister Pandor promised the pupils learning resources to boost mathematics and science learning at the school. The Minister urged pupils to pursue these subjects as they were crucial in improving their chances to embark on life-changing careers that could improve their lives and the lives of their families.
The DST handed over laptops, desktops, iPads and mathematics learning materials during a briefing ceremony at the school.
Speaking at the handover, Don Vortnin, a Tshwane South Education District official, said the learning equipment will greatly benefit the learners. He said this fits in well with the Gauteng Government’s plans of implementing ICT-basedteaching and learning programmes to Grade 12 learners in the Province.
“The programme entails the usage of interactive boards, mobile devices such as tablets, laptops with complete internet connectivity to conduct teaching and learning.”
Nelvis Qekema, Director in the Department, highlighted the importance of subjects like mathematics and science, saying it enables learners to escape poverty through education.
He urged teachers to assist learners in appreciating the significance of doing mathematics and science, so that they embrace these subjects and not avoid them because they are too difficult.
School principal, Mr Neave Kubheka, welcomed the donation, saying this would motivate the learners to study more and assist them to do their research.
“I would like to thank the Minister for this contribution. Through these donations we will be able to produce more engineers, scientist and innovataor in this school.”
The Tshwane Secondary School is a public school with a learner population of 373. It offers a variety of subjects including mathematics, science, tourism and commercial subjects. It also offers adult basic education classes after hours.
School and district officials handover a 'token of appreciation' to Nelvis Qekema representing the Minister.
