Laerskool Generaal Jacques Pienaar Primary in Pretoria Central received a digital boost recently in the form of a state-of-the-art mobile digital library containing 40 tablets, a laptop and a printer.
The digital library was donated by Astron Energy, South Africa's second largest petroleum network with over 850 service stations.
Laerskool Generaal Jacques Pienaar Primary’s Principal Dawid Schoeman said: “We are so grateful for this investment into the future of our young learners to better prepare them for the digital world they are already such an important part of.”
Schoeman added that the digital library would contribute to efforts to grow learning in the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) fields.
(From left to right) Astron Energy representatives, retailer Gerhard Coetzer, Territory Manager Phozisa Mathebula, Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor Andiswa Mesatywa, retailer Illze Coetzer, Admin Assistant Kay Madela and Sales Manager Mkululi Balani at the handover of a digital library to Laerskool Generaal Jacques Pienaar in Pretoria Central.
“This is such an incredible opportunity for us as a school and for our young people, to learn, acquire new skills, and hopefully use these to build better futures for themselves and our country.”
The digital library is designed by Information and Communications Technology company, Ruratech, which will provide training to the school’s educators and learners on how to use the tablets, as well as ICT support for a full year. Ruratech focuses on empowering learners in disadvantaged communities with ICT equipment and support.
Business Development Manager at Ruratech Jeffrey Katuruza with the digital library which Astron Energy donated to Laerskool Generaal Jacques Pienaar.
Jill Koopman, Head of Corporate Affairs at Astron Energy, said the donation of the digital library formed part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to educational development and preparing young people for a digital future.
“We understand the changing landscape being driven by digital innovation. We are focused on not just teaching children critical future skills such as coding and robotics, but also on providing them with the essential tools to learn and live out their digital aspirations,” Koopman said.
Astron Energy also donated digital libraries last year to Simunye Primary School and Landulwazi Comprehensive School in Johannesburg, Vuzamanzi Primary in Khayelitsha in Cape Town, as well as the Kea Mpane Foundation in Arcadia, Pretoria. The digital library project has also been taken to schools in Mpumalanga and the Northern Cape provinces.
(From left to right) Laerskool Generaal Jacques Pienaar Deputy Principal Lizelle Pienaar, Business Development Manager at Ruratech Jeffrey Katuruza, Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor at Astron Energy Andiswa Mesatywa, Astron Energy Territory Manager Phozisa Mathebula and School Governing Body Chairperson Phale Naake with the digital library which was donated to the school recently.
In total, Astron Energy has invested R21 million in future skills programmes and, via strategic partnerships with non-profit organisations, reach more than 30,000 learners, youth and educators across South Africa each year.
Astron Energy has also rolled out a project to provide free and affordable Wi-Fi in linked communities such as Dunoon, near its Refinery in Cape Town, to help bridge the digital divide.
Jeffrey Katuruza of Ruratech said the company looked forward to working with Laerskool Generaal Jacques Pienaar Primary staff and learners to help build critical skills and digital know-how.
*Main Image: (Back row) Laerskool Generaal Jacques Pienaar Deputy Principal Lizelle Pienaar, Business Development Manager at Ruratech Jeffrey Katuruza, Senior Corporate Affairs Advisor at Astron Energy Andiswa Mesatywa, Astron Energy Territory Manager Phozisa Mathebula, and School Governing Body Chairperson Phale Naake, with learners at the handover of the digital library.
