Digital equipment to advance learning
On Monday 18 September, Parkdene Secondary School and Tabata Primary in Thembalethu received a welcome donation of digital equipment, valued at R250 000 each, from the South Korean ambassador to South Africa, Chull-joo Park.
Park came in person to do the handover on behalf of his government and addressed an assembly of parents who attended the special occasion. He told parents about South Korea's rebuilding after the Korean war in the early 1950s. After the war, the country's gross per capita income was $67. Today it is
$32 000. Park said education is the foundation of any country and it played a critical role in Korea's economic development. "I hope that our investment here will help create better education for the next generation. I strongly believe South Africa has endless potential to develop a flourishing economy."
Park said in the 1970s, as a young lad, he had gone to school without shoes. In the case of the two George schools, they had to decide between giving shoes or technology. "We chose technology since it is more important to provide a way to advance children's education for a better future where they can help themselves and contribute to the economy."
The donation includes digital tablets and a 165cm Smartbox. A special occasion was made of the handover at Parkdene which was also attended by parents. The Deputy Minister of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Alvin Botes, said the digital equipment donated is a token of appreciation for what is taking place at the school. He lauded the principal, Derick Petersen, and his management team for what they have achieved in creating a positive learning environment for the children.
Petersen was grateful for the donation and the impact it will have on learners' education. "You can download the curriculum onto the tablets and learners have direct access to it, even if a crisis like Covid challenges us again, we will be able to engage with our learners through this technology."
He said the Smartbox will enable them to install DSTV and open the school hall to the learners to watch sport and other programmes. "Everybody says the school is a poor school, but once you come in other provinces and you see the need, you feel guilty. You ask yourself, are we really poor, are we really battling? If you look at the facilities here, the Western Cape Education Department overhauled the whole school. It's neat and well looked after. It is safe. We have not had break-ins this year. We are humbly honoured by this donation."