Westcon-Comstor Sub-Saharan Africa has partnered with non-profit organisation SAME Foundation to rebuild and fully kit out the computer-applied teaching (CAT) lab for the Diepsloot Combined School.
The school is a no-fee government school with over 2 000 students and is in an impoverished area in Diepsloot.
The lab is now equipped with 50 computers, Internet connection and furniture, says Westcon-Comstor.
"We fully sponsored the project, funding the rebuild of an aging lab that required a full revamp," says Rakesh Parbhoo, Westcon-Comstor CEO for Sub-Saharan Africa.
The new CAT lab will afford matriculants the opportunity to write their computer exams, an education requirement from the Department of Education, at their own place of study, he adds.
In the past, these exams had to be written at private schools in the area that were willing to accommodate them, explains Parbhoo.
"We are extremely grateful to Westcon-Comstor which partnered with us on this project. Their commitment and contribution will offer these children access to computer equipment that is reliable and workable. Furthermore, it will give the teachers at the school access to the resources they need to deliver the curriculum effectively," says Dianne Pols, executive director at the SAME Foundation.
"The SAME Foundation has personally seen similar projects dramatically increase the pass rates of students at a school where a similar contribution has been made," she adds.
"Community is exceptionally important to Westcon-Comstor, which is why we work with our local teams to identify community-based projects, on the ground, that will have a long-term impact," says Parbhoo.
Building the CAT lab for the Diepsloot Combined School will provide its learners with a home base for them to foster their computer-based learning skills and hopefully drive a passion for technology among these children, he adds.
"As we continue to see a digital revolution unfolding in IT, our industry is in need of passionate young people and their fresh ideas, to further shape and change how we engage with technology. I believe this CAT lab will enable these young people to explore this as well as position IT as a possible career choice for their futures."
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