Computing power in the hands of matric learners in Koukamma

Computing power in the hands of matric learners in Koukamma

 

 

 

The Boardwalk has helped put computing power into the hands of 2016 matric learners from Qhayiyalethu High School with a donation of 10 laptops. The donation was in support of an initiative by the Eastern Cape Legislature to encourage the school’s matric class of 2016 to focus on their studies and improve their marks. In total, thanks to the support of other sponsors, 25 youngsters are now proud owners of their very own laptops. For many, this is the first time that they will have access to technology at home.

 

The school is located in the previously disadvantaged community of Kareedouw within the Koukamma Municipality which comprises sparsely populated coastal villages and inland farms. Due to the challenge posed by poorly resourced schools, education and skills levels are low. This is compounded by socio economic challenges faced by the community, ultimately result in learners missing opportunities to continue with further studies beyond Grade 12.

 

During visits to various schools in early 2016, Noxolo Kiviet, Honorable Speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature, found the matric results at Qhayiyalethu High School to be very poor – as they had been for some time. As an incentive to them to strive for better, Ms Kiviet promised the 2016 Grade 12 class laptops if they passed. When the results came out at the end of the year, the school had achieved a 71% pass rate, up from 31% in 2015.

 

“The Boardwalk enthusiastically decided to help the Legislature to deliver on its promise to these learners because the improvement in the pass rate was so substantial. The learners certainly rose to the challenge and they can be proud of their achievements. We trust that having this computing power at their finger tips will assist them tremendously in their future studies,” says Mike van Vuuren, General Manager at The Boardwalk.

 

Education is one of the key focus areas of The Boardwalk’s corporate social investment programme as it believes that education is critical for addressing poverty and unemployment in the community.

“When people are empowered with skills, they are able to find jobs, generate income for their families, and become productive contributors to the economy. Education is therefore inextricably linked with the wellbeing of our community and the growth of the economy. Unfortunately for many of our youth, education actually reinforces marginalization. This is largely because of lack of resources. We must therefore appreciate the efforts of the local government to turn the tide through campaigns such as this,” says Peggy Mokhatla, Social Equity Manager at The Boardwalk.

Captions 2251

 

Mandla Madwara, Director at The Boardwalk, with one of the recipients. 

 

2029

 

Members of The Boardwalk team from left Mtunzi Bojo, Tukelo Tolwana, Chantel Taljaard, Odwa Funeka, Colin Carmody, Mfezeko Ngcingane and Nqaba Mangcotywa.

Like The Boardwalk on Facebook www.facebook.com/boardwalk.elizabeth and follow on Twitter @TheBoardwalkPE.