Computers donated to a high school

A DONATION of 50 computers, to a secondary school in Langa, will boost computer literacy and lead to improved career choices for pupils.

Until last week, learners at Isilimela Secondary School, in Langa, have had to make do without a computer applications technology (CAT) laboratory but, after a donation of 50 new computers by the SA Medical and Education Foundation (Same), the school will now be in a position to offer the subject to students, giving them more options in further education and their career choices.

Same is a non-profit organisation that undertakes high-impact community development projects.

It works with primary and secondary schools, across South Africa, by renovating their facilities and providing necessary learning equipment. Their mission is to assist children in extremely poor communities to reach their full potential.

During the donation ceremony, Same chief executive, Trevor Pols said: “Many learners get into university, where almost everything is computerised and their limited knowledge of how to use a computer sets them back. They then drop out of computer subjects and choose other subjects.”

Pols said that many students are lost to the faculties of engineering and science because of the lack of computer literacy.

“This donation will, therefore, be a step forward in getting the learners used to working with technology,” said Pols.

Isilimela Secondary school was picked for the donation, based on their need for computer lab infrastructure.

Pols said that before a donation is made, Same vets the school to see whether it is well-managed and whether learners look after the environment.

Isaac Sijula, principal of Isilimela Secondary School, said that until now learners from the school could only start studying computer subjects at university.

“Students need to have a basic knowledge of computers before entering university to prevent them from being discouraged when they find others there who are computer literate.”

“Computer knowledge is needed for everything.

“The learners will hopefully make better career choices from the donation because they will be more informed about computers once they complete school,” said Sijula.

“We have noticed a 100% increase in the amount of learners taking the CAT and science subjects once the computer labs are installed in schools.

“There has also been an average of a 13% increase in the pass rate of learners and a 16% increase in their grade pass of all the schools we have invested in across Western Cape,” said Pols.

The organisation is working to equip more schools with new computer labs.