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Donation to boost learning in school

USING computers for basic teaching and learning will help improve the education system and shore up performance of rural pupils in school.

This is the view of the acting chief executive of the School Technology Access Foundation, Karabo Mkhabela.

Mkhabela expressed this view during the launch of STA's ambitious programme to equip primary and secondary schools with computers.

The programme was launched at Rehlagane Primary School, a rural school based in Lehwelere village outside Moutse in Limpopo.

The foundation has donated 25 computers and a broadband inter-connection kit.

Software and hardware were also donated to the school. A tutor was also assigned to the school.

About 631 pupils will start computer lessons as the school has already created space for computer training.

Mkhabela said the programme was aimed at closing the digital gap between rural and urban pupils.

The foundation wants the government, parents and pupils to also enjoy the benefits of modern technology.

It was the first time many people in the area saw or touched a computer, let alone being able to use it.

Dorcus Mokhari was over the moon when she clicked and surfed the Internet during the launch on Monday.

"I have seen computers in shops but it is the first time I lay my fingers on one," she said.

She said she would now be able to do research on the Internet for her schoolwork.

The foundation said lack of access to computers had disadvantaged the pupils academically.

"Most of our rural schools do not have computer laboratories and we are planning to train 40000 facilitators to supervise new centres that we will launch," Mkhabela said.

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