Computer literacy is as essential as basic literacy and numeracy these days. Being comfortable with at least basic, office-level computing is a skill everyone should have - not just those who are after careers in the ICT industry.
Russell Pengelly, MD of Computers 4 Kids, realised this back in 1995, when he and his wife started the accredited ICT educational company in Cape Town. "We found there was a need for a support and training model for ICT teachers, as well as innovative and exciting educational, locally produced software for schools. As a teacher back in those days, I applied some exciting educational approaches and methodologies."
His hunch paid off. After humble beginnings of having just five learners coming over to the offices in Tokai after school for classes in 1995, the company steadily expanded. "We then moved to offering classes within schools, so we soon had a number of schools on our books," Pengelly says.
Today, Computers 4 Kids has grown into an award-winning franchise, operating throughout SA as well as in more than 20 other countries. It offers international ICT certification at primary school level.
"Our e-Learner curriculum has been endorsed by ECDL in Ireland and ICDL here in South Africa. This means the learners in primary schools leave school with a certificate that is locally endorsed (MICT SETA) as well as internationally recognised in over 140 countries," Pengelly explains.
Computers 4 Kids covers seven modules, in which students learn to become proficient in tasks such as word processing, creating spreadsheets and presentations, using the Internet and e-mail, and managing files and folders.
According to Pengelly, the curriculum is what differentiates Computers 4 Kids from other educational ICT programmes. "The fact that we also align our ICT curriculum, content and resources to the local national curricula in the 24 countries where we operate sets us apart. The one-size-fits-all option does not do it for us. Another fact is that we have a Microsoft, Linux and Mac version of our curriculum, which makes it available to all users worldwide."
From four- to 104-year-olds
Despite its name, Computers 4 Kids not only caters to youngsters. "We offer courses for everyone, from four-year-olds to 104-year-olds. As former president Nelson Mandela said, 'you can be a learner at any age'. We have taken that quote literally and have empowered many adults who were too scared to venture into using technology."
Over the last three years, Computers 4 Kids has set up more than 60 mobile training centres across the country, where entrepreneurs offer IT classes from their homes, offices or any place they see fit. This, Pengelly says, is where the adults usually receive training. "We see this model as an excellent means of social upliftment, and we have plans to open up a further 100 over the next two years."
Pengelly estimates that Computers 4 Kids has, to date, already instructed in excess of six million learners and 18 000 educators.
Last year, the company snapped up Technology Top 100 (TT100) awards in two categories: Excellence in the Management of People; and the Director General's Award for Emerging and Small Businesses.
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