Education project lifts hope for DV pupils

A MULTIMILION-rand education empowerment project is bringing hope, ambition and empowerment to 12 schools and the Gompo Library serving impoverished Duncan Village.

A joint initiative between the department of education, Buffalo City Metro, Old Mutual, LEED projects and the NGO Edunova, which initiated the project in 2009, has finally been rolled out.

Since early this year each school has received five computers, including an overhead projector, white boards, iPads and educational software which accelerates learning through reading and mathematics.

Acting district director Sihle Mnguni, representing the provincial deputy director-general Ray Tywakadi at the hand-over ceremony at Gompo Library on Thursday, said he was at first sceptical of the project because of the tough conditions in the area where it was to be implemented.

“Teachers and principals are demotivated. Parents continue to be non-co-operative although they also continue to place their hope in schools because they know that education is a weapon that can combat many societal issues.”

Mnguni said the department supported the investment made in schools in Duncan Village and was committed to sustaining the project.

Education district official Estelle Swartz said six primary schools and six high schools were selected from the area.

“The project was initiated in 2009 and began integrating with schools from 2010.”

It had helped that Old Mutual and BCM had joined in, she said.

“We don’t want learners in this area to feel any different to learners from other suburban schools. They are now also exposed to iPads, computers and all sorts of technology.”

Swartz said teachers, pupils and staff at the library had been trained in the correct use and maintenance of the machines.

“Two schools, Lumko and Kusile, each received a lump sum of more than R5 000 to develop their school and beef up security as an incentive after progressing very well throughout the threeyear duration.”

Swartz said although the province’s matric results had dropped last year, there was a rapid increase in the number of university degrees obtained by Duncan Village residents.

LEED project leader Bonny Hendricks said sustainability was the most important aspect of the project.

“We are so happy to see it all fall into place after years of planning. It has created a buzz of excitement among the pupils.”

Old Mutual project manager John Talev said they were still busy training the school management team, while BCM was training members of the community who would be working because of the project.

“The community needs to take ownership and ensure that they take responsibility for schoolchildren to make the most of this.”

Librarian Thobela Kuze said Gompo Library was now the only BCM library with internet connectivity available to the community.

“We are offering printing, typing and fax services, something which has been lacking this side of town and we have gone to great lengths to beef up security,” Kuze said.